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Lewistown agrees to sponsor Homeward’s CDBG application to repair Oule Place housing
Summary
The City of Lewistown approved sponsoring a CDBG application from nonprofit Homeward to address water and limited capital repairs at Oule Place, a low- to moderate-income property housing about 57 residents; Homeward will prepare the Sept. 17 application and manage compliance while funds would flow through the city.
The Lewistown City Commission voted to sponsor a Community Development Block Grant application from Homeward to pay for repairs and limited capital needs at Oule Place, a low- and moderate-income housing property that Homeward says is home to 57 residents.
City manager Holly Phelps introduced the request and said the city’s role would be as the required governmental sponsor and pass-through for any award. Julie Stitler, project manager at Homeward, told the commission Homeward "will do all the work of making the application" and "we'll take care of all the compliance all the reporting all the monitoring all those things that are required with CDBG housing grants." Stitler said the application is due Sept. 17 and that Homeward does not intend to pursue the program maximum of $750,000 but instead will seek only what is needed for water repairs, some appliances and other targeted capital needs.
Commissioners asked about financial responsibilities and the application process. Phelps clarified that while the city would be the flow-through entity — "the money would go through the city though" — the nonprofit would prepare the application and manage project compliance; the city would bring any awarded funds back for formal budget appropriations and amendments. The commission was also told that two public hearings must precede application submission: one general hearing for basic needs and one specific to the project.
A member of the public asked for a brief synopsis of Homeward’s work; Stitler described Homeward as a statewide nonprofit developer that operates about 1,605 homes in 14 Montana communities and provides housing counseling, first-time homebuyer classes and rental housing. She named two Lewistown properties—Crowley Flats and Oule Place—as Homeward-managed developments.
After discussion, Commissioner Ber moved to approve sponsorship and Commissioner Rose seconded. The motion passed on roll call, allowing Homeward to proceed with the application and planning steps required before formal submittal.
The next procedural steps announced to the commission were: Homeward submitting the full application package to city staff for review before filing, holding the two required public hearings, and, if awarded, the city returning to the commission to appropriate funds and add them to the city budget.
