Housing fixes emerge in state

(Fourth story in a series)

The City of Boulder has long grappled with a lack of affordable housing, a situation exacerbated by its geography and economics. Bounded by public lands, a river, an interstate and private ranches, the city offers little opportunity for new housing developments that could serve both commuters to Helena and Butte, but also employees of new businesses — the latter of which Boulder is eager to attract given the closure of the Montana Development Center and the loss of its 250 jobs.

The city has responded by offering a suite of new tools to spur economic development  — subdivision regulations, an annexation policy, among others — designed to smooth the way for those wanting to bring new housing to Boulder. Others, such as the nonprofit National Affordable Housing Network, have worked for years to provide affordable homes to qualified buyers.