Lake County Leader , Affordable housing coming as ground breaks on Polson Landing

State and local officials were on hand for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Polson Landing housing units Wednesday morning.

“Where there are other small towns struggling to survive, the city of Polson is thriving,” Mayor Heather Knutson told a crowd of 40.

Affordable housing is a challenge the city has seen and identified, Knutson said.

The 35-unit building is located at 402 Ridgewater Drive.

Growth within the city has brought opportunity to the area, she said, helping the tourism, entertainment and health services industries, but “most importantly, jobs.”

According to a press release from the office of Governor Steve Bullock, Montana was awarded $6 million of Montana Board of Housing tax credits to Housing Solutions, a Missoula-based affordable housing developer.

Alex Burkhalter of Missoula-based Housing Solutions, said that construction began in the middle of June.

Construction of the project will create about 90 jobs, generating approximately $3.8 million in wages.

“What we’re doing on the one hand, you can look at this as 35 apartments, but you’re really creating the stability and dreams,” Bullock said after the ceremony.

The construction shows private and public partnership, he said, adding that, between the State of Montana and various entities making the project happen, the impact on the community is very positive.

The press release stated that the apartments will range in price from $350 to $770 per month for people who earn between $9,800 and $36,180 a year.

Burkhalter said that construction should be completed in December, with families moving in the same month.

More information on affordable housing can be obtained by visiting housing.mt.gov.