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Governor's Housing Task Force

Overview

Background

On July 14, 2022, Governor Gianforte signed Executive Order No. 5-2022 creating the Governor's Housing Task Force. The Governor charged the task force with providing recommendations to make housing more affordable and attainable for Montanans. The bipartisan task force met regularly and provided recommendations in written reports to the Governor in October and December 2022. Recommendations included items the legislature can consider and the governor can sign into law, items state agencies can implement administratively, as well as best practices local jurisdictions can enact.

Update

On June 29, 2023, Governor Gianforte announced that the task force will continue through June 2025 to expand upon its previous work. "While we’ve made great progress to increase the supply of affordable, attainable housing for Montanans, there’s more work to do, and we’re not done yet,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I look forward to our Housing Task Force continuing to develop more commonsense solutions to address one of the most pressing issues facing hardworking Montanans.”

For current meeting information, links, and materials, visit the Meeting Calendar and Materials (Phase III) accordion below.

Contacts & Documents

DEQ Staff Contact

Bob Habeck 406-444-7305

Supporting Documents
Housing Task Force Documents
Resources and Information

In June 2023, Governor Gianforte extended the task force for two years, through June 2025. Additional meetings will be announced here. To view Phase I and II meeting information, see the the Archives section at the bottom of the page.

Task Force Meeting Calendar
Type Date Time Location Agenda & Materials
Housing Task Force Monday, April 8, 2024 3:00-5:00 PM

DEQ Metcalf Building, Room 111
1520 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601

or join via Zoom

Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597
Passcode: 769048
Telephone: (206) 337-9723

Successes Study Group Meeting Monday, April 1, 2024 12:00-2:00 PM

Join via Zoom
Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597
Passcode: 769048
Telephone: (206) 337-9723

Challenges Study Group Meeting Thursday, March 28, 2024 12:00-2:00 PM

Join via Zoom
Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597
Passcode: 769048
Telephone: (206) 337-9723

Housing Task Force Friday, March 8, 2024 12:00-2:00 PM

DEQ Metcalf Building, Room 111
1520 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601

or join via Zoom

Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597
Passcode: 769048
Telephone: (206) 337-9723

Challenges Study Group Meeting Monday, February 12, 2024 3:00-5:00 PM

Join via Zoom
Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597
Passcode: 769048
Telephone: (206) 337-9723

Successes Study Group Meeting Thursday, February 8, 2024 3:00-5:00 PM

Join via Zoom
Webinar ID: 873 1798 4177
Passcode: 588176
Telephone: (206) 337-9723

Housing Task Force January 17, 2024 10:00-11:30 a.m.

DEQ Metcalf Building, Room 111
1520 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601

or join via Zoom

Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597
Passcode: 769048
Telephone: (206) 337-9723

Housing Task Force October 17, 2023 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Governor's Reception Room, State Capitol, Helena

Or join on Zoom

Meeting ID: 823 7856 1651

Password: 616408

Dial by Telephone

+1 646 558 8656

 

Updated December 18, 2023

Housing Task Force Members
Name Affiliation
Chris Dorrington (Chair) Director, Department of Environmental Quality
Todd O’Hair (Vice Chair) President and CEO, Montana Chamber of Commerce
Hon. Ellie Boldman  State Senator (D, Missoula)
Hon. Greg Hertz State Senator (R, Polson)
Danny Tenenbaum Former State Representative (D, Missoula)
Hon. Sue Vinton  State Representative (R, Billings)
Patrick Barkey, Ph.D. Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana
Terry Brockie Instructor, ANC College - Ft. Belknap
Kendall Cotton President and CEO, Frontier Institute
Nathan Dugan President and Co-Founder, Shelter WF
Mark Egge  Former Member, Bozeman Planning Board
Jaclyn Giop President, Montana Water Well Drillers Association
Eugene Graf Owner, E.G. Construction
Emily Hamilton, Ph.D. Senior Research Fellow and Director, Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center
Adam Hertz  Former Secretary, Montana Board of Housing
Amanda Kaster  Director, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Joe McKenney Great Falls City Commissioner
Jacob Kuntz Executive Director, Helena Area Habitat for Humanity
Bill Leininger President, Montana Association of Realtors
Cheryl Cohen Administrator, MT Housing Division, Department of Commerce
Nicole Rolf Senior Director of Governmental Affairs, Montana Farm Bureau Federation
Mike Smith  Market President, Glacier Bank
Valerie Stacey Environmental Health Specialist, Lewis and Clark County
Don Sterhan Steering Committee Member, Montana Housing Coalition; President and CEO, CR Builders, LLC
Sarah Swanson Commissioner, Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Don Jones Commissioner, Yellowstone County

Governor's Housing Task Force Meeting Recordings (Phase III)

March 8, 2024
January 17, 2024

Study Group Meeting Recordings (Phase III)

Challenges - February 12, 2024
Successes - February 8, 2024

Archives

The Housing Task Force wrapped up the first part of its work in December 2022.

 

Task Force Meeting Calendar (Phase I & II)
Type Date Time Location Agenda & Materials
Housing Task Force  December 19, 2022 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Governor's Reception Room, State Capitol, Helena

Or Join on Zoom

Or by Phone: 1-646-558-8656

(Webinar ID: 812 0884 4176 / Passcode: 879637)

Discuss the second report

Housing Task Force  December 14, 2022 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Room 111, DEQ Headquarters, Helena

Or Join on Zoom

Or by Phone: 1-646-558-8656

(Webinar ID: 829 3828 8204 / Passcode: 168979)

Agenda

  • Welcome and Roll Call
  • Review of Final Edits & Clarifications on Report
  • Housing Task Force Next Steps
  • Public Comment
Public Comment Opportunity December 7, 2022 6:00 p.m.

Join on Zoom

Or by Phone at 1-646-558-8656

(Webinar ID: 816 1770 1054 / Passcode: 858512)

Opportunity for the Housing Task Force to hear public comment on the preliminary draft recommendations for Phase 2, related to regulatory changes and best practices for state agencies and local governments
Housing Task Force  November 30, 2022 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Room 40, DEQ Headquarters, Helena

Or Join on Zoom

Or by Phone 1 646 558 8656

(Webinar ID: 882 0605 5099 / Passcode: 594410)

Agenda

  • 2:00 - Welcome & Roll Call
  • 2:10 - Next Steps for Preliminary Draft 12/15 Report
  • 2:25 - Presentation of Draft Recommendations
  • 3:00 - Public Comment
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask November 18, 2022 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 884 6015 1686
Passcode: 120765

Agenda

  • Welcome, meeting purpose
  • Discuss top recommendations
  • Public Comment

Working Draft from 11-9

Economics/Other Subtask November 17, 2022 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 847 0455 2019
Passcode: 037308

Agenda

  • Welcome, meeting purpose
  • Discuss and rank top  recommendations
  • Public Comment

Notes from 11-9 Meeting

Construction Subtask November 16, 2022 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 862 3035 4734
Passcode: 790657

Agenda

Local Issues Subtask November 16, 2022 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 871 6881 0091
Passcode: 531828

Agenda

Housing Task Force  November 9, 2022 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Room 111, DEQ Headquarters, Helena

Or Join on Zoom

Or by phone at : 1 206 337 9723

(Webinar ID: 841 0612 6601 / Passcode: 635393)

Agenda

  • 2:00 - Welcome & Roll Call
  • 2:10 - Strategy for Draft Report
  • 2:20 - Present & Discuss Draft Recommendations
  • 3:00 - Public Comment
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask November 7, 2022 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 878 1351 6953
Passcode: 550785

Agenda

  • Welcome, meeting purpose
  • Identify and discuss agency-level issues
  • Public Comment
Construction Subtask November 4, 2022 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 850 3212 0810
Passcode: 897251

Agenda

Economics/Other Subtask November 3, 2022 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 879 7983 6771
Passcode: 224800

Agenda

  • Welcome, meeting purpose
  • Brainstorm - problems, issues, and challenges (state agencies)
  • Brainstorm - problems, issues, and challenges (local governments)
  • Brainstorm - potential solutions (combined)
  • Consolidate top issues and solutions
  • Public Comment
Local Issues Subtask November 1, 2022 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Join on Zoom

Webinar ID: 862 1044 9120
Passcode: 054868

Agenda TBD

Housing Task Force  October 19, 2022 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Governor's Reception Room
State Capitol, Helena

Or Join on Zoom 

Or by phone at: 1-646-558- 8656

(Webinar ID: 816 0859 3847 / Passcode: 764548)

Agenda

  • 11:00 - Governor's Welcome & Remarks
  • 11:20 - Phase 2 Assignment & Schedule
  • 11:45 - Public Comment
Housing Task Force  September 28, 2022 2:00-3:30 p.m.

DEQ Metcalf Building, room 111
1520 E 6th Avenue, Helena

Or Join on Zoom 

Or by phone at: 1-206-337-9723

(Webinar ID: 859 5624 7006 / Passcode: 426553)

Focus: Draft Final Report

Agenda

  • 2:00-2:10 Welcome & Roll Call
  • 2:10-2:45 Review Working Draft 10/15 Deliverable
  • 2:45-3:00 Discuss Approach for the 12/15 Deliverable
  • 3:00-3:30 Public Comment
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask September 15, 2022 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Agenda

  • Introduction
  • Presentation: Subdivision & Platting Act Reform - Land Use Working Group of the Montana League of Cities and Towns (10 minutes presentation / 5 minutes Q&A)
  • Open Discussion of Subtask Recommendations (Ranking Notes)
  • Discussion of general assent vs. dissenting views on recommendations
  • Public Comment
Housing Task Force  September 8, 2022 2:00-3:30 p.m.

DEQ Metcalf Building, room 111
1520 E 6th Avenue, Helena

Or Join on Zoom 

Or by phone at: 1-206-337-9723

(Webinar ID: 859 5624 7006 / Passcode: 426553)

Focus: Recommendations & Counter-Opinions

Agenda

Local Issues Subtask September 6, 2022 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Or by phone at: 1-646-558-8656

(Webinar ID: 864 2716 5117 / Passcode: 508983)

Agenda

  • Introduction, overview, and meeting purpose
  • Recap previously discussed solutions
  • Task Force open discussion
  • Public comment
  • Discussion and interactive ranking and evaluation of solutions
Construction Subtask September 6, 2022 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Or by phone at: 1-646-558-8656

(Webinar ID: 884 5148 4663 / Passcode: 597442)

Agenda

  • Introduction and Meeting Purpose
  • Recap Previously Identified Challenges
  • Task Force Discussion of Recommended Solutions
  • Public Comment
Economics & Other Subtask September 2, 2022 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Or by phone at: 1-646-558-8656

(Webinar ID: 861 9797 2978 / Passcode: 708940)

Agenda

  • Introductions
  • Brief summary of solution methodology
  • Discussion of top 5 solutions
  • Group Discussion and ranking
  • Public comment
WEBINAR: Subdivision Review 101 September 1, 2022 1:30-2:30 p.m.

DEQ Metcalf Building, room 111
1520 E 6th Avenue, Helena

Or Join on Zoom 

Or by phone at: +1 646 558 8656

(Webinar ID: 847 7289 6056 / Passcode: 992493)

Agenda

Slides

Regulatory & Permitting Subtask August 31, 2022 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Agenda:

  • 1:00 pm: Introduction, overview, and meeting purpose
  • 1:05 pm: Recap previously discussed solutions
  • 1:15 pm: Open discussion, re: additional solutions for consideration
  • 1:25 pm: Discussion and interactive ranking and evaluation of solutions
  • 2:15 pm: Public comment

Draft List of Solutions

Housing Task Force  August 18, 2022 2:00-3:30 p.m.

DEQ Metcalf Building, room 111
1520 E 6th Avenue, Helena

Or Join on Zoom 

Or by phone at: 1-206-337-9723

(Webinar ID: 859 5624 7006 / Passcode: 426553)

Focus: Ideas & Solutions

Agenda

  • 2:00 – 2:05 Introduction and roll-call of Task Force members
  • 2:05 – 2:25 Task Force Business
    • Task Force purpose
    • Task Force schedule for on-time delivery Oct. 15 and Dec. 15
    • Introduction to the recommendation template
    • Scheduling our full Task Force meetings through Dec. 15
    • Scheduling Subtask meetings through Oct. 15
    • Discuss additional presentation topics
  • 2:25 – 3:15 Subtask Report-out, by Subtask
    • Identify the “problem”
    • Briefly and succinctly introduce your “solutions” work to collect and catalog the solutions
    • Describe the rank and priority of these solutions and a path toward recommendations
  • 3:15 – 3:20 Subtask assignments
  • 3:20 – 3:45 Public Comment
Local Issues Subtask August 16, 2022 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

or by phone at: 1-206-337-9723

(Webinar ID: 892 1926 1310 / Passcode: 099570)

Agenda:

  • Welcome, meeting purpose
  • Discussion of survey results
  • Discussion of any additional ideas and solutions
  • Public comment

Draft List of Solutions

Regulatory & Permitting Subtask August 15, 2022 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Agenda:

  • 3:30 - 3:40 pm: Welcome, Meeting Purpose
  • 3:40 - 3:50 pm: Recap on issues, ranking exercise
  • 3:50 - 4:30 pm: Discussion of survey results among subtask - ideas and solutions
  • 4:30 - 4:45 pm: Additional discussion of ideas and solutions
  • 4:45 - 5:00 pm: Public comment
Economics & Other Subtask August 11, 2022 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Webinar (updated link)

Or by phone at: 1-213-338-8477 

(Webinar ID: 850 4253 2675
Passcode: 433625)

Agenda

  • Welcome, Meeting Purpose
  • Presentation and Discussion of Economic Barriers to Affordable, Attainable Housing
  • Discussion of Potential Solutions
  • Public Comment

Draft List of Challenges

Housing Task Force  August 3, 2022 2:30-4:00 p.m.

DEQ Metcalf Building, room 111
1520 E 6th Avenue, Helena

Or Join via Zoom 

Or by phone at: 1-206-337-9723

(Webinar ID: 889 2893 9339 / Passcode: 456028)

Agenda:

  • 2:30 pm:  Introduction & Roll Call
  • 2:35 pm: Subtask Reports
  • 3:15 pm: Updates, Logistics & Assignments
  • 3:35 pm: Public Comment
Construction Subtask August 2, 2022 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Agenda:

  • Welcome, Meeting Purpose
  • Discussion of Construction-Related Barriers
  • Consolidate Top Issues and Proposals
  • Rank Challenges
  • Public Comment
Local Issues Subtask August 2, 2022 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Agenda:

  • Welcome, Meeting Purpose
  • Framing Local Barriers to Housing Inventory
  • Lead & Co-Lead Presentation of Proposals
  • Open Discussion for Additional Issues/Proposals
  • Consolidate Top Issues and Proposals
  • Discuss Ranking Exercise
  • Public Comment
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask July 28, 2022 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Agenda:

  • 1:00 - 1:10 pm: Welcome, Meeting Purpose
  • 1:10 - 1:35 pm: Brainstorming - state and local permitting and regulatory barriers
  • 1:35 - 1:45 pm: Consolidate Brainstorming Issues and Concepts
  • 1:45 - 2:00 pm: Ranking Exercise
    2:00 - 2:15 pm: Additional Discussion of Top Issues
  • 2:15 - 2:30 pm: Public Comment

Brainstorming Notes

Housing Task Force  July 20, 2022 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Governor's Reception Room, State Capitol

Or Zoom webinar at: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/87412032013?pwd=OTA0ZElRTjJLSUV6Z08wM3VWcjNGQT09 

Or by phone at: 1-206-337-9723

(Webinar ID: 874 1203 2013 / Passcode: 292114)

Agenda:

  • Introductions
  • Governor’s Welcome
  • Overview of the Task Force Role(s)
  • Selection of Vice Chair and Subtask Leads
  • Idea Generation & Moving Ideas to Task Force Recommendations, Overview
  • Set Meeting Schedules July - Sept & Expectations for Subtask Conversations
  • Public Comment
Subtask Meeting Recordings
Type Date Recording Link
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask November 18, 2022 Meeting Recording
Economics/Other Subtask November 17, 2022 Meeting Recording
Construction Subtask November 16, 2022 Meeting Recording
Local Issues Subtask November 16, 2022 Meeting Recording
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask November 7, 2022 Meeting Recording
Construction Subtask November 4, 2022 Meeting Recording
Economics/Other Subtask November 3, 2022 Meeting Recording
Local Issues Subtask November 1, 2022 Meeting Recording
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask September 15, 2022 Meeting Recording
Construction Subtask September 6, 2022 Meeting Recording
Local Issues Subtask September 6, 2022 Meeting Recording
Economics & Other Subtask September 2, 2022 Meeting Recording
WEBINAR: Subdivision Review 101 September 1, 2022 Meeting Recording
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask August 31, 2022 Meeting Recording
Local Issues Subtask August 16, 2022 Meeting Recording
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask  August 15, 2022 Meeting Recording
Economics & Other August 11, 2022 Meeting Recording
Construction Subtask August 2, 2022 Meeting Recording
Local Issues Subtask August 2, 2022 Meeting Recording
Regulatory & Permitting Subtask  July 28, 2022 Meeting Recording