In the past 5 years, Montana's average home price has gone up 71%, while the average income has only increased 25%. The lack of housing, and that which is attainable for working class residents, is creating a crisis for residents, employers, local economies, public health, community well-being...everything. In this episode, we hear from seven people all working in different areas of this topic around Montana, and we aim to provide information and perspectives that encourage us to have more nuanced and proactive outlooks and responses to this topic. We also shine a light on creative actions taking place around the state, and share resources for folks feeling the pressures directly. Of course the pressures of increased housing costs is something being felt around the country, and around the globe...so no matter where you call home, there is a wealth of information shared in this episode that can be applied to other regions. This episode is longer than most of ours, so of course feel free to listen in segments as you wish. This episode was generously supported by Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. They say, "We believe that housing is part of the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future." Learn more at www.headwatersmt.org. Thank you to Shauni Seccombe for research and editing support on this episode. LINKS: Shelter WF Governor's Housing Task Force Trust Montana Stories for Action podcast featuring Trust Montana North Missoula Community Development Corporation HomeFront Billings Bespoke of Montana Habitat for Humanity chapters serving Montana Beyond Building - regenerative design & education in Montana Engage Whitefish Montana Association of Counties, about growth policies  State Grants for communities to adopt/update a Growth Policy Montana Growth Policy Resource Book NeighborWorks Montana NeighborWorks Great Falls Native Homeownership Coalition Montana Native Growth Fund - financing Great Northern Development Corporation Action for Eastern Montana MEIC - Montana Environmental Information Center HRDC - Human Resource Development Center Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program Montana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) Program The Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs - rental assistance for low-income earners MT Department of Commerce Housing Program Resources for rental assistance & homeowner assistance from State USDA Montana Board of Housing Loans USDA Rural Development Report: Programs for Housing Available Housing in Montana - Database for rental & homeownership Strong Towns  Confessions of a Recovering Engineer & related books The Affordable City - book by Shane Phillips Life in the Land - films & podcasts from Stories for Action, sharing stories from rural regions of Montana Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to spark positive action for people and place. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction     #housing #Montana #housingcrisis #affordablehousing #406 #sustainability #homeless #unhoused #economy #mortgage #housingpressures #rental #housingcrunch #community