Billings Project Adds 35 Affordable Homes
South Hills Commons is building affordable two- and three-bedroom houses in Billings under Montana's Community Reinvestment Plan.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Construction
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Governor Greg Gianforte toured the South Hills Commons construction site at 4317 King Avenue East in Billings with Representative Curtis Schomer. The development plans 35 affordable two- and three-bedroom homes.
Why it matters
The project is intended to address the high cost of buying a home and the shortage of homes working families can afford in Billings and across Montana. The available supply of affordable homes in the state does not meet demand.
The development plans 35 two- and three-bedroom homes, with buyers earning between 60% and 140% of area median household income and housing costs capped at 30% of income. Completion timelines and total project cost were not provided.
The players
Greg Gianforte
Governor of Montana who toured the South Hills Commons construction site and oversees state policy under which the Community Reinvestment Plan operates.
CRILOGISTICS
An attainable housing solutions provider that advises the community reinvestment organization and assists with development.
HABCRO
An organization working with more than two dozen Montana counties on development opportunities and local housing strategies.
The details
The Community Reinvestment Plan, created by House Bill 819 in 2023, combines state funding with matching investments to help qualifying households buy deed-restricted homes. The community reinvestment organization builds and sells homes at cost and uses financing assistance to lower mortgage costs, allowing eligible buyers to enter homeownership without a down payment.
Timeline
2023: House Bill 819 passed, establishing the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan.
Last week: Governor Gianforte toured South Hills Commons construction progress.
Market Landscape
The South Hills Commons project is an early construction implementation of the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan created by House Bill 819 in 2023. The Billings effort is intended to expand to other parts of Montana as the state works to add homes that working families can afford.
Qualifying Billings-area households earning between 60% and 140% of area median income could become eligible to buy one of the planned homes without a down payment. Housing costs, including taxes, insurance and the mortgage, are intended to stay under 30 percent of household income.
The takeaway
Households in the Billings area should check whether their income falls within the 60% to 140% of area median range that the program targets. Income-qualified buyers can use the 30 percent housing-cost guideline to test whether a deed-restricted home fits their budget.
Further reading
For more on local projects, see Construction coverage in Billings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northern Broadcasting System - Montana, Wyoming and the Western Dakotas.
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