What do we do?
Connecting with and informing the community to provide workforce housing services, programs, training, and education. Our mission is to increase the quality and choices of housing in Red Lodge, provide the community with awareness of housing issues, and expand housing opportunities through training and education.
Our goal is to maintain the integrity and uniqueness of Red Lodge’s small-town culture and strengthen its economic well-being by influencing the housing environment to be more affordable, attractive, stable, and accessible for the local workforce. We strive to be efficient and knowledgeable, working with the community to remain a trusted partner and respected authority on housing issues. The Workforce Housing Steering Committee is comprised of lenders, realtors, insurers, builders, the City, businesses, and highly engaged volunteers who donate their time and expertise. In addition to our steering committee we currently partner with USDA Rural Development, Trust Montana, Helena Area Habitat for Humanity, Home Center, and Beartooth Electric Cooperative to educate and take action on housing solutions.
We have successfully facilitated the building of four permanently affordable housing units on community land trusts since 2016, with three more in progress in 2021. Dozens of households have benefitted from access to first-time homebuyer education, financial literacy, and renter counseling resources. In 2021 – 2022, we hosted an Americorps VISTA member to focus on solutions to the shortage of both available and affordable long-term rentals in Carbon County.
Consider supporting our work by donating today.
WHY WORKFORCE HOUSING?
Although there are many important housing needs to be addressed in Red Lodge, the Workforce Housing Committee identified through a Housing Needs Assessment that the most pressing concern is with the existing and future workforce. Our local workforce includes teachers, nurses, and service employees who make our wonderful resort town thrive. Without these people, our economy would not survive and our infrastructure would diminish.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Click on a title below to expand the menu for more detailed information on all our current projects and programs.

The goal of the Workforce Housing Solar Fund is to provide funding to allow self-help program participants to install solar systems on their homes to reduce their energy burden, become more energy independent, become more resilient to fluctuating electricity rates, and ensure their utility costs are sustainably affordable.
The upfront costs of renewable energy can be a barrier to the households that could benefit the most from the reduction in energy bills.
The Department of Energy’s Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool measures the average energy burden at the county, state, and national level. In Carbon County, low income households are spending an average of 16% of their income on energy – much higher than the national average of 8.6% for low income households, and five times higher than non-low income households nationally and in Carbon County, who spend roughly 3% of their income on energy.
This fund will be used solely for the purpose of photovoltaic solar system installations on houses constructed for the Owner-Built Workforce Housing Program. Participants of this program are considered very low and low income, or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Each solar system will be designed to power the majority (greater than 50%) of the home’s electricity use with solar energy. Combined with the community land trust and sweat equity models, renewable energy installations will ensure these homes are sustainably affordable for our Red Lodge area workforce.
HOW TO DONATE
Donate to the Workforce Housing Solar Fund Online
Or, write a check payable to RLACF with “Workforce Housing Solar” in the memo line. You can then put this check in the drop box at the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation building on 122 S Hauser Ave, or mail to PO Box 1871 Red Lodge, MT 59068.
The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation’s Workforce Housing Steering Committee partnered with Helena Area Habitat for Humanity, Trust Montana, USDA Rural Development, and Altana Federal Credit Union to build quality and efficient single-family homes for qualified people working in the Red Lodge Area. Homes are already under construction in the Spires lots on the west bench off Hwy 78, with more to come.
Under the guidance of Helena Area Habitat for Humanity staff, qualified applicants are building their own homes, and the homes of their neighbors, with assistance from relatives, friends, and their community. This Owner-Built Workforce Housing program is for anyone that has stable income, positive credit, and minimal debt. If you’re interested in building your own home and the homes of your neighbors, then this program may be for you.
See the one page summary of the Owner-Built Housing program.
BENEFITS OF SELF-HELP HOMES
- Acquire knowledge and skills in home maintenance and construction
- Home-buyers earn equity in their home by providing sweat-equity
- Develop lasting relationships with neighbors building their homes at the same time
- Low interest rates that may be modified by payment assistance
- Up to 33-year payback period, with a 38-year payback period for some applicants based on income
GUIDELINES
We use the following guidelines to evaluate each pre-qualification applicant, but additional factors may influence your eligibility. Please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.
Skills: No construction or carpentry skills necessary. You’ll be taught all you need to know along the way.
Income: Income Qualifications are set per HUD 2021 Area Median Incomes for Carbon County (see table). Because many factors determine a household income, you may be eligible even if your income exceeds the maximum. Applicants must exhibit steady and verifiable income for at least 1 year and work in the Red Lodge area.
Credit History & Record: Credit is reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Free financial counseling sessions are available to support applicants with their credit and homeownership preparation.
Residency: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
Time Commitment: “Sweat-equity” is the time commitment that all households contribute to building their homes and the homes of their neighbors. Contributing labor lowers costs and allows people to earn instant equity in their home. Commitment to 1 weekday evening 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm and 1 full-day Saturday every week are required for at least 1 years’ time and/or until all homes are completed and move-in ready. The weekday night chosen is mutually agreed upon by the build families.
HOW TO APPLY…
The first step is to fill out and submit a pre-qualification form. This is a short, pre-screening questionnaire that can be completed in a matter of minutes. From there, the form is reviewed and you’ll hear back to set up a meeting.
Here’s how you can start your path towards homeownership:
- Fill out the pre-qualification form online (scroll down to bottom of this page)
- You can also pick up a hard copy from the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation, or download and print the Pre-Qualification Form PDF.
- If you fill out a hard copy of the form, please return it to Robin Adams at the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation by:
- Mail: P.O. Box 1871, Red Lodge, MT, 59068
- Email: angela@rlacf.org
- In-Person: Drop off at the RLACF office: 122 Hauser Ave S, Red Lodge, MT 59068
Questions? Contact Angela Getchell (RLACF Workforce Housing Coordinator): angela@rlacf.org / Office: (406) 446-2820 / Direct: (406) 426-1983
Red Lodge High School, Helena Area Habitat for Humanity, and the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation have partnered to offer students in the Construction Trades course vital hands-on experience by helping build the Owner-Built homes up on the Spires subdivision. This offers the students the opportunity to test their knowledge in the real world, opening up professional pathways to the construction trades while also helping create homes that are permanently affordable for our local workforce.
This course is designed to expose students to a variety of topics which will include: Drafting, project design, measuring, material list, floor layout, wall layout, rafter layout, sheeting, and trim. Students will construct a building using the skills learned throughout the course. Students will also have the opportunity to job shadow construction workers in our community.
Students outside of this course are more than welcome to volunteer at the build site. We are unfortunately unable to accept volunteers 15 years old or younger. For youth ages 16 – 17 years old that are NOT enrolled in this course, they must refrain from:
- Working from a height over 6 feet
- Operate any power tools, circular saws, band saws, wood chippers, or cutting discs
- Wrecking or demolition work, or any remediation work on any hazardous condition (e.g., lead, asbestos, mold, etc.)
- Roofing Operations
- Excavation Operations
- Driving a vehicle
Students enrolled in the Red Lodge High School Construction Workplace Experience with Helena Area Habitat for Humanity are exempt from the above rules when under the supervision of the course instructor.
All interested volunteers may contact Angela Getchell at angela@rlacf.org or (406) 426-1983
Helpful Links
GET INVOLVED
Click on a title below to expand the menu for more detailed information on ways to get involved and learn more about affordable and workforce housing issues.
- View our past quarterly newsletters below, and if you’d like to receive future newsletters then sign up here.
- January 2021 Newsletter
- April 2021 Newsletter
- September 2021 Newsletter
- February 2022 Newsletter
- May 2022 Newsletter
- The Workforce Housing Committee meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 4pm. Meetings are currently held virtually and in person at 122 S Hauser Ave. If you’d like to get involved with the Housing Committee or to volunteer for housing initiatives, contact Angela Getchell.
- Documents Developed by the Steering Committee:
- Agendas and Meeting Minutes
- January 28, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- February 25, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- March 18, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- April 29, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- May 27, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- June 24, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- July 22, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- August 26, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- September 23rd, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- October 28th, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- November 18th, 2021 Agenda / Minutes
- January 27th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- February 24th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- March 24th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- April 28th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- June 30th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- July 28th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- August 24th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- September 22nd, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- October 26th, 2022 Agenda / Minutes
- November 21st, 2022 Agenda
- 10am – 11:30am at the RLACF building on 122 S Hauser Ave, or via Zoom
- State-Wide
- Trust Montana http://trustmontana.org/
- MT Community Development Division http://comdev.mt.gov/Home
- MT Cooperative Development Center http://www.mcdc.coop/mcdc
- NeighborWorks http://www.nwmt.org/
- Homeword http://www.homeword.org/
- Regional
- HOME Center (Billings) https://thehomecenter.org/
- Home Front Partners: https://homefrontpartners.org/
- Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) District 7 http://www.hrdc7.org/
- Billings Metro Area Affordable Housing Properties
- Beartooth RC&D http://www.beartooth.org/
- Helena Area Habitat for Humanity http://www.helenahabitat.org/
- Beartooth Front Community Forum 2021 Housing Webinar https://youtu.be/niutBPKFyK8
- 2022 Housing Convening Recording: https://youtu.be/2ugtzLvhyCY
- Local Rental Resources
- Property Management Companies
- Tera Reynolds Rentals
- 406-446-2266
- Fischer and Erwin
- Red Lodge Rentals
- C-Mor Real Estate
- Coal Creek Realty
- Tera Reynolds Rentals
- Local Housing:
- Red Lodge Apartments
- 1120 Edict Ave, Red Lodge, MT 59068
- 406-446-3108
- Mountain View Apartments
- 522 Airport Road, Red Lodge, MT 59068
- Rainbow Property Management
- Phone: 406-248-9028
- Apply
- Frontier Apartments
- 1115 South Adams Avenue, Red Lodge, MT 59068
- 406-446-4626
- Red Lodge Apartments
- Listing sources:
- Carbon County News classifieds
- Red Lodge Homes for Rent Facebook
- MT Housing Search
- Free Rental Finder
- Other resources:
- Property Management Companies
CARBON COUNTY ONLINE PRE-QUALIFICATION FORM
Filling out this form is the first step to apply for our Owner-Built Housing program. For a full summary of the program and eligibility guidelines, view our current projects. If you have questions about this form and/or would like to clarify the information you provide, please contact Angela Getchell at angela@rlacf.org or (406) 426-1983.