MBIA and NAHB Member Appointed to Montana Affordable Housing Task Force

The task force met for the first time this week. Photo courtesy of KRTV.

MBIA & NAHB member Eugene Graf, owner of E.G. Construction in Bozeman, Mont., has been selected to serve on a housing task force launched by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. The task force — comprising state agency leaders, legislators, local officials, association representatives, economists, researchers, stakeholders and advocates — will provide recommendations to make housing more affordable and attainable for Montanans.

"I’m grateful to each member of the housing task force, from the bipartisan group of legislators to stakeholders to experts to advocates for reform," Gov. Gianforte stated in a press release. "I know each of them will bring a strong voice and unique perspective to the task force."

The task force has been tasked to provide two written reports regarding recommendations and strategies to help inform statewide legislation and regulatory changes and best practices for state agencies and local governments. Strategies may include not only recommendations to boost affordable housing options but also to identify barriers to increasing necessary housing supplies, such as land use regulations, zoning restrictions and lack of labor.

"The cost of duplicative regulations, coupled with the time it takes to comply, are a real cost to any project," Graf stated. "Waiting for the privilege to begin costs money, and in a time when supplies are uncertain in cost and availability, builders are unable to predict total end costs. We are thankful to those that do show up to work, but we need to encourage growth in this labor force. Understanding these and developing a predictable model will allow a house to be produced in a more affordable manor."

"I look forward to exploring all ideas that are presented, and working together with the governor's office and the legislature to develop policies that meet this goal," he added.

Montana joins a growing list of states and local municipalities launching similar task forces and working groups to help combat the housing affordability crisis.