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City approves $40,000 to Northwest Montana Community Land Trust to preserve home at 410 Trailview Way
Summary
Council voted unanimously to provide $40,000 from the city's affordable housing fund to allow the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust to acquire the land under a resale home at 410 Trailview Way and replace the city's deed restriction with the land trust's ground lease; the applicant secured matching funding.
The Whitefish City Council unanimously approved a $40,000 contribution from the city’s affordable housing fund to the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust (NMCLT) to facilitate the purchase of the land under a resale home at 410 Trailview Way and to replace the city's deed restriction on the property with the land trust’s ground lease.
Dana (staff) summarized the request: the city would release its existing deed restriction and NMCLT would place its ground lease to preserve affordability in perpetuity. Dana said the request would allow the home to be sold to a household at approximately 105% of area median income under the ground‑lease terms. Staff noted the city has $569,000 appropriated in its affordable housing fund, with current commitments leaving capacity to support the $40,000 request.
Kim Morisaki, representing the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust, told council she secured a $40,000 match from the Beverly and Bob Bragg Family Foundation through the Whitefish Community Foundation and an additional $5,000 from the Montana Women’s Foundation, bringing the buyer price down to $322,000 from a previously authorized sale price of $407,000. “This would be our eleventh house in Trail View,” Kim said; she asked the council to approve the funding so the home can be placed in the land trust.
Rebecca moved to approve the funding and deed‑restriction replacement; Councilor Caltabiano seconded. Councilors thanked Kim for securing matching funds and discussed the city’s broader approach to supporting ownership through partnerships with NMCLT. The motion carried unanimously.
Staff recommended and council authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with NMCLT to implement the transaction.
