Thank you to our wonderful Table Captains, sponsors, speakers and donors for making our first ever Sustainable Communities Benefit Luncheon a success on many levels!

The event took place on March 24 at the Florence Hotel where the 170 guests enjoyed lunch and personal stories from people who have benefitted from our housing and programs.

We must constantly be resourceful in obtaining funding to provide beautiful housing and essential education to Montanans. This event is just one way we gain support. With no line item in the Montana State budget for affordable housing, we seek funding through many grants, federal funds, corporate sponsorships, individual donations and this event.

Thank you for helping raise over $53,000 in gifts and pledges through this luncheon so we can build community in Missoula and around Montana. We are incredibly thrilled and humbled by your support. Together we are creating sustainable communities.

Missoula's mean wage is $9.65/hour. The average cost of a two bedroom apartment is $905.00/month, leaving just $350.00 for other items once food and housing have been paid for.

This alarming gap in wages and costs of living leaves many Montanans struggling to cover everyday expenses, much less save for future goals.

We asked the attendees of the Sustainable Communities Benefit Luncheon to balance their budget on $10.00/hour. Are you up to the challenge?

What comes to mind when you think of your home? It is in the mountains, on the beach, or somewhere in between? Is it in a close neighborhood or in the country? It is a place you can relax and spend time with friends?

Are the floors safe to walk on? Is there mold on the ceiling? Do you worry about choosing between paying for groceries or rent? If you took the Cost of Living Challenge and budgeted on a $10/hour income, you know how difficult those choices can be. The image above is from a report showing how much you must make in each state to afford a two bedroom rental. Read the article here.

Whether your home is comfortable or is distressing, home is where we all start each day. Helping make home a place where children can do their homework in peace, where animals are cared for and where people make connection to their neighborhood, is our choice. You help people in Montana have safe places to call home that they can afford, whether they are working, retired, living with a disability or providing for a young family.

A beautiful reminder of what a home can be was shared by Get Ready for HomeOwnership graduate Lauren Gonzales during our annual Appreciation Luncheon on May 5.

Lauren said, “By the time my son was born – Christmas Eve, 2013 – we were settled in a beautiful home. It felt amazing to bring Joey home to a place we owned – a permanent situation that was safe and stable.

A place that is so much more than a house. It is where I run my business and pursue my passion as a writer and parenting lifestyle coach. It is where my husband – an Iraq veteran – feels safe, secure and at peace. It is where we build memories with our two young children. Thank you volunteers and donors who make it happen – you are truly making a world of difference!”

Read Lauren’s full story here.

We are excited to announce the launch of Rent Wise, our renter workshop. The first workshop took place on May 18 and was attended by several community members.

This free, three-hour workshop was developed after conducting a survey of our residents last year and through conversations with many local social service providers. 52% of Missoulians are renters and these keys to successful renting can help them find and keep safe places to call home.

Topics include:

– Household budgeting

– Impacts of credit and rental history

– Fair housing practices

– Landlord perspectives

– Renter rights and responsibilities

– Steps to finding and getting into rental housing

The next workshop is August 3. Learn more and register!

Are you a grateful resident of a Homeword property or client of our HomeOwnership Center programs? We'd love to hear from you!

Share your success story and be entered to win a $100 coupon for Home ReSource in Missoula.

Your story may be used to inspire others to help us provide safe, healthy, affordable housing and housing counseling and education to other Montanans.

Sustainable Office Space Available!

Looking for sustainable office space? We have three beautiful LEED Gold Certified office spaces for lease in our Solstice building along the Clark Fork River in Missoula.

Energy efficient, sustainable design as well as a large shared break room, conference facility, and beautiful outdoor patio.

Three office spaces of 252 square feet, 1,652 square feet or 3,382 square feet are available.

Rent the Solstice Conference Room

$50/day (nonprofits) or $100/day (for profits)

Contact Erin at (406) 532-4663 ext.10 or erin@homeword.org.

June 11 – Homebuyer Education

June 14, 15, 16 – Financial Fitness – FREE

July 16 - Sustainable Communities Tour (Solstice)

June 28 – Board of Director's Meeting

July 4 – Independence Day (Homeword Offices Closed)

July 12, 13, 14 – Homebuyer Education

July 21 – Sustainable Communities Tour (Solstice)

July 23 – Financial Fitness – FREE

August 3 – Rent Wise – FREE

August 16, 17, 18 – Homebuyer Education

August 18 – Sustainable Communities Tour (Solstice)

Thank you, Sponsors and Funders.

Your support of our programs and events is greatly appreciated!

Your gift of $10 or more can build community for Montanans.

– $10/month helps buy energy efficient windows for our affordable housing units that young families, retired people, veterans and formerly homeless Montanans live and thrive in

– $20 helps 1 person get ready for homeownership so she can give her children a safe place to grow up

– $50 helps give 1 parent access to our free financial fitness class so he can make wise financial decisions for his family

Please give the gift of community today!