[MCN] Press Release: Introducing ProHousing Missoula

[Hannah Kosel]

Contact: Hannah Kosel

ProHousing Missoula

Phone: 507-458-3667

Email: hannah at nmcdc.org

Website: prohousingmissoula.org

March 11th, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Diverse Coalition of Missoulians Championing an Equitable City Zoning Code

Missoula, MT – – ProHousing Missoula <https://www.prohousingmissoula.org/>
(PHM), a new coalition supporting more housing options, publicly launched
during an introduction to Missoula City Council on Monday, March 4th.
Spurred to action by the crushing housing shortage in Missoula and seeing
working families priced out of the community, PHM formed to advocate for
more abundant and affordable housing in every neighborhood, starting with
the upcoming Missoula 2025 Zoning Code Reform and Growth Policy Update. The
coalition’s first action - a letter to the Mayor and City Council outlining
a vision for the Our Missoula Code Reform process - is supported by a large
and diverse coalition of concerned citizens, climate and housing advocates,
and industry professionals dedicated to advancing housing affordability and
vibrant, connected neighborhoods in Missoula. Currently this includes
Forward Montana, Montana Women Vote, Families for a Liveable Climate, North
Missoula Community Development Corporation, Missoula Tenants Union,
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation, Hone Architects +
Builders, DVG Architects, Upslope Group, Missoula Real Estate Meetup,
Sightline Institute, COLŌ Architecture, Beyond Building, Montana Youth
Action Board, and UM Bear Necessities, with others joining on a weekly
basis.

PHM’s letter makes two key requests of Missoula’s city leadership, staff,
and consultants: 1) Ensure project completion by the established deadline
of January 2025. And 2), ensure that Missoula’s zoning code is among the
most pro-housing in the country, creating housing opportunities for
generations of neighbors to come.

In addition, PHM proposes that the new zoning code be built upon the
following four pillars:

1. Diverse, abundant, and affordable housing - Legalizing a variety of
housing types to meet the needs of accessibility and affordability needs
for Missoula residents.

2. Compact, walkable, and human-scale neighborhoods - Encouraging the
development of neighborhoods that prioritize pedestrian-friendly design,
connectivity, and a sense of community.

3. Shared responsibility - Creating opportunities for development city-wide
to ensure equitable growth amongst all neighborhoods.

4. Stronger financial and regulatory support for deeper levels of
affordability - Implementing policies that support the creation and
preservation of permanently affordable housing units, ensuring availability
of stable housing options for generations.

Brittany Palmer, Executive Director of North Missoula Community Development
Corporation <https://www.nmcdc.org/> and member of ProHousing Missoula,
shares, “This diverse group of community members has come together in
recognition that, while Missoula leaders have made significant strides
toward housing for all, we are still in a housing crisis and continue to
see neighbors displaced from our City due to a lack of affordable homes. We
need to be using every available tool to create a more equitable Missoula
that allows residents and their kids and grandkids to continue to call this
place home. The next key step is making sure the Our Missoula project
results in a zoning code that supports a gentle and incremental increase of
homes and amenities available to community members in all neighborhoods
across Missoula.”

To celebrate the formation of ProHousing Missoula and its vision for code
reform, PHM will be hosting a private launch party for coalition members
and elected officials on Wednesday, March 13th at 5 pm at GoodWorks Place.
We invite the press to join, listen to speakers, and meet with the diverse
coalition of supporters.

For more information about ProHousing Missoula and its vision for
Missoula's housing future, please visit prohousingmissoula.org.

###

-- 
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-kosel/>

Hannah Kosel (they/she)

North Missoula CDC | Stewardship Coordinator

1500 Burns St. Missoula, MT

www.nmcdc.org



<https://www.facebook.com/northmissoulaCDC/>
<https://www.instagram.com/northmissoulacdc/?hl=en>
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-missoula-community-development-corporation/?viewAsMember=true>
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