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Columbia Falls hires consultants for housing assessment; employer survey and regional data to guide recommendations
Summary
Consultants presented a comprehensive affordable housing study for Columbia Falls to comply with Montana SB 382, proposing an employer survey (mid‑October to early November), interviews with local employers and developers, and draft/final reports due February–March; residents pressed for broader geographic coverage, public input, and attention to short‑term/second homes.
Consultants from WSW Consulting, Western Spaces and Urban Rural Continuum presented a city‑commissioned comprehensive affordable housing study to the Columbia Falls planning board on a meeting that focused on data collection, outreach and timelines.
The consultants said the study will evaluate housing supply and demand across the income spectrum, examine commuting and regional market interactions (including Whitefish and Kalispell), and provide recommendations that align with Montana Senate Bill 382. "Affordable simply refers to household spending no more than 30% of their gross income on housing payment," said Wendy Sullivan of WSW Consulting, describing the study's working definition of affordability.
The consultants outlined a mixed approach of secondary and primary research. Secondary sources will include the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey; primary research will include stakeholder…
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