Workforce Housing Program

What is workforce housing and how can TIF be used to support it?

In 2021 the definition of infrastructure in the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) section of Montana Code Annotated was amended to add “workforce housing.” In 2023, the state defined the household income range for attainable workforce housing as 60-140% of the Area Median Income (AMI).There are very few developers building income qualified workforce housing in Missoula and very limited state and local resources to encourage construction of this type of housing.  

The Missoula Redevelopment Agency’s WHP guidelines allow for TIF support of acquisition, construction (bricks and mortar), and improvements to income qualified workforce housing.  Missoula is the first City in Montana to utilize TIF for construction of income qualified workforce housing under this new provision in state law. To learn more, read our FAQs below. 

Additional TIF Investments to Support Housing in Missoula

Prior to 2023 the MRA was investing in public infrastructure, building deconstruction, and site preparation on projects where housing was constructed, including income qualified housing. The MRA continues to support new housing in this way in our six urban renewal districts. The graphic below includes a breakout of housing units that are complete, planned, or underway as a result of TIF investment in public infrastructure and bricks and mortar (under the new WHP). For a complete list of all MRA projects, including public infrastructure and workforce housing projects, visit our Project List.