Kalispell mayor calls on county commissioners to consider affordable housing program

Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson on Monday urged Flathead County commissioners to decide whether to adopt House Bill 819 before millions in funding for affordable housing is swept away.  

“I challenge the commissioners to put this on the agenda, look at people in the eye and cast your vote,” Johnson said. “We didn’t elect you to avoid issues or to sit on the sidelines.” 

The 2023 state Legislature set aside $50 million in state funding to be doled out to counties through Community Reinvestment Organizations with an eye to addressing work force housing. House Bill 819 allocates the funds for housing initiatives and low-interest loans to developers building deed-restricted apartments.