Helena Seeks Affordable Housing Concepts for Showcase

The city is gathering pre-fabricated and new funding model ideas to build affordable homes that will be open for public tours for one year.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Residential

Stacked pale timber framing and a leaning concrete wall panel on a gravel lot, with pine-covered foothills under a clear sky. — Helena city staff issued an Oct. 27 call seeking pre-fabricated and new funding-model concepts for affordable homes that will be opened for public tours. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think Helena's new affordable housing showcase will make homes more attainable?

Helena city issued an Oct. 27 call for affordable housing concepts, including pre-fabricated buildings and new funding models that could cut development costs. Selected concepts will be constructed and opened for tours over a one-year period.

Why it matters

Housing is a critical need in Helena, according to city staff and the public, and the concept originated with staff after two developers offered proposals to reduce housing costs. The effort seeks practical models that could make homes more affordable for residents in the city.

Cotton Construction's pre-fabricated timber model is priced as low as $289,000 and designed to finish within 70 days, while Steed Industries estimated pre-cast concrete homes could be built in 30-45 days. The city has not yet selected any concepts, and final costs for approved projects remain unknown.

The players

Cotton Construction

A builder that presented a pre-cut timber housing model designed for pre-fabricated construction within 70 days.

Steed Industries

A company that proposed pre-cast concrete housing, drawing on a model used in Utah.

Makosh Prosto House

A housing provider that offers 16 housing models for the city's showcase concepts.

The details

Cotton Construction presented a pre-cut timber model and Steed Industries proposed pre-cast concrete housing to city staff at a Sept. 9 meeting. Staff will review submitted designs, and interested applicants may construct concepts after clearing permits.

Sept. 9: Developers presented housing proposals to the Helena City Commission.
Oct. 27: The city issued a press release calling for housing concepts.
Nov. 20: Deadline for housing pitches and design concept submissions.

Roadmap

Helena's effort responds to an estimated Montana shortage of 30,000 housing units, where roughly 80% of Montanans cannot afford median home prices. The city is testing pre-fabricated and new funding approaches at the local level in response.

Residents interested in affordable housing options can monitor the city's design submissions, which close Nov. 20. Approved concepts would open for public tours for one year, offering a chance to see the models in person.

The takeaway

Affordable housing concepts that combine pre-fabricated construction with new funding models could offer Helena residents a faster and less costly path to new homes. Watch the Nov. 20 submission deadline to see which ideas advance.

What happens next

Ideas are being gathered until Nov. 20, after which staff will review submitted designs and selected concepts will move toward construction and public tours over a one-year period.