Affordable housing

By Eric Dietrich, Montana Free Press

A task force charged with identifying solutions for Montana’s housing crunch formally passed recommendations for legislative action to Gov. Greg Gianforte last week, teeing up debates over state subsidies and local control that appear likely to play out as specific housing bills are considered by lawmakers this winter.

The group, appointed by the governor in July, had been asked to recommend measures that could be implemented by the Legislature to reduce the burden placed on many Montanans by the state’s tight housing market, with a particular emphasis on a...