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 WFGovernor's Housing Task ForceTrust MontanaStories for Action podcast featuring Trust MontanaNorth Missoula Community Development CorporationHomeFront BillingsBespoke of MontanaHabitat for Humanity chapters serving MontanaBeyond Building - regenerative design & education in MontanaEngage WhitefishMontana Association of Counties, about growth policies State Grants for communities to adopt/update a Growth PolicyMontana Growth Policy Resource BookNeighborWorks MontanaNeighborWorks Great FallsNative Homeownership CoalitionMontana Native Growth Fund - financingGreat Northern Development CorporationAction for Eastern MontanaMEIC - Montana Environmental Information CenterHRDC - Human Resource Development CenterEmergency Housing Voucher (EHV) ProgramMontana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) ProgramThe Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs - rental assistance for low-income earnersMT Department of Commerce Housing ProgramResources for rental assistance & homeowner assistance from StateUSDA Montana Board of Housing LoansUSDA Rural Development Report: Programs for HousingAvailable Housing in Montana - Database for rental & homeownershipStrong Towns Confessions of a Recovering Engineer & related booksThe Affordable City - book by Shane PhillipsLife in the Land - films & podcasts from Stories for Action, sharing stories from rural regions of MontanaStories 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