Whitefish — Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley told the Whitefish City Council Jan. 5 it wants to be considered to build 22 townhomes on the citys 'snow lot,' combining Habitat-built units for households under 80% AMI with privately built units for higher AMI tiers.

Mary Beth Moran, executive director of Habitat Flathead, said the organization has reviewed the Depot Park / snow-lot plans and believes modest design changes would allow construction at substantially lower per-unit costs. Moran estimated Habitat could build some units for between $250,000 and $300,000 apiece; staff- or market-driven figures in the packet placed a higher upper estimate near $350,000 per unit. She said Habitat already has a memorandum of understanding with Iron Star Construction and that Iron Star could begin work in spring 2026 with a projected completion of January 2027 for their portion; Habitat expects to complete its portion by December 2027.

Garrett Roberson (Habitat construction manager), Cameron Blake (Habitat affiliate), and Kiesa/Keesa Davidson (owner, Iron Star Construction) spoke in support, describing Habitats volunteer-driven construction model, vendor discounts, available mortgage assistance programs for buyers, and private-sector partnerships to cover higher-AMI units.

Council and staff discussed process options: staff noted the city could issue an RFP for development proposals if more than one party expresses interest and that previous design approvals constrain some changes; staff also said they would need to resolve a lien issue and other title matters before formal transfer. Councilors asked staff to return with an RFP recommendation and to coordinate with Habitat and Iron Star on timelines and design modifications.

Separately during the meeting the council approved a request from the Northwestern Montana Land Trust to release deed restrictions and to provide $40,000 each toward purchases of 610 and (potentially) 714 Trail View Way to lower sale prices into an affordable range. City staff confirmed $80,000 in appropriated affordable-housing funds are available in FY26 and the council voted unanimously to approve the land-trust requests.

Councilors asked staff to evaluate how the land-trust allocations would affect other affordable-housing commitments (including the snow-lot proposals) and to return with recommendations. Planning staff also reminded council that a housing work session and the growth-policy schedule will allow fuller consideration of housing numbers and policy in February.