More and more young professionals are moving to Billings to start their careers. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to find housing at the beginning of their careers.
The Billings Association of Realtors is trying to find solutions to ensure the workforce gets into homes.
The idea is to meet part of the demand for affordable housing through construction measures.
The potential Skyview Ridge project would include 900 smaller homes on nearly 190 acres near Wicks Lane and Governor’s Boulevard in the Heights.
The price of a new home at the lower end of the scale would be around $225,000.
“When we have housing that people can afford and that creates prosperity for them, you’ll find that the community as a whole will do better and work better together,” says Tom Llewellyn, a real estate agent in Billings.
Llewellyn is part of the Midland Empire Land Trust, which would build and manage Skyview Ridge.
He has been in the real estate business since 1969 and in project development for six decades.
He says a house he sold for $50,000 is now on the market for $255,000.
“So in 30 years, a family has gained about $200,000,” Llewellyn said. “That makes you feel good.”
“Wealth building is part of the home buying and building process,” said Steve Simonson, director of government affairs for the Billings Association of Realtors.
Simonson has heard similar success stories and wants to see more.
“Especially the entry-level housing for workers,” Simonson said. “We believe that teachers, firefighters, police officers and those who protect and serve our community should have the opportunity to own a home.”
Llewellyn developed the Harvest Granger housing development in West Billings.
The houses are owned and the land is leased.
Skyview Ridge would be similar, but the land would be leased from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
“And if we apply the condominium principle, they pay rent for the land,” Llewellyn said. “We can bring the price down significantly.”
“If we can reduce the price of a home by 20 percent, that’s a big deal,” Simonson said.
Simonson says others have similar proposals, including Trust Montana, which has built worker housing in Red Lodge near the airport.
The Billings Association of Realtors received a $500,000 technical assistance grant from the National Association of Realtors through the Transforming Neighborhoods program, which Llewellyn hopes will give this idea a boost.
“It helps keep a family together,” Llewellyn said. “It helps keep kids off the streets, and it keeps the family at the center of the city in Billings.”
