Housing Navigator works to address homelessness, workforce housing

With less housing on the market, finding local and affordable housing can pose difficulties throughout Lewis and Clark County, and finding affordable housing brings added difficulties in Lincoln.

Lewis and Clark County partnered with Helena last year to fund a new Housing Navigator position to help support county residents in finding long-term housing.

Chandler Rowling, who started in the position in January, said the Housing Navigation program supports workforce housing. She helps county residents who earn 30-80 percent of the Area Median Income. The Department of Housing and Urban Development defines the median family income as $83,800 in Lewis and Clark County. Residents must be employed to use services through the Housing Navigation system.

Rowling says the Lewis and Clark County Housing Navigation program is different than many of those in surrounding counties and states. Most housing navigation programs focus on supporting residents who fall under the 30 percent AMI measure, said Rowling. She added that most of the residents she helps still fall into the 30-40 percent AMI bracket.

"I see a lot of folks that are experiencing homelessness, but have a good stable job. These folks, maybe they make a little too much for government assistance, but they don't make enough to get by," said Rowling.

Rowling pointed to two factors that might have influenced the decision to support individuals in 30-80 percent bracket.

"The city and county see a cycle in renting," said Rowling, noting that people who may want to stop renting and purchase a home aren't always able to. The Housing Navigator program is designed to help singles and families save and get to a point where home ownership is an actual option, she added.

A lack of financial literacy and knowledge might also impact that, she said, "I'm working on that with Homeward, a nonprofit in Missoula. They're hosting a renting course in September."

As a grant-funded organization, Rowling said the Homeward courses are free and currently offered online. She said they also want to focus on innovation and new jobs. Attracting new businesses and the creation of new jobs means having housing for those employees. Rowling said one aspect of the program allows for building partnerships with new employers to help find housing for employees when new jobs are created.

In Lincoln, a notable issue facing prospective renters and homeowners is the lack of available housing.

"There's not a lot of rentals available [in Lincoln]," said Rowling. She said the lack of rental properties is due in part to the quantity of vacation homes, as well as homes which are used as AirBnB rentals instead of long-term rentals.

"I've worked with some realtors and agencies. The housing just isn't up there," said Rowling. "What's available, a lot of trailers, are not in the best shape and need repairs. One thing I've seen a lot in Lincoln is there's a huge need for restoration."

Another problem Rowling sees in Lincoln is lack of access to services.

"When I'm working with folks in Helena, it's so much easier because the services are there. In Lincoln, and the county, they have to be able to access those services by coming to Helena," said Rowling.

"For folks in Lincoln, being able to work with PureView is huge," added Rowling, saying that she works with PureView to coordinate access to some resources for Lincoln residents. "Mostly, it's been that housing is healthcare idea," she said, noting that shelter is high on the hierarchy of needs.

"There's been a lot of 'up in the air' discussions," said Rowling, focusing on workforce housing and the creation of affordable housing in Lincoln.