First Residents Move Into State Workforce Housing in Deer Lodge

DEER LODGE — The first residents have moved into Montana’s new state employee workforce housing, marking a milestone in the state’s efforts to address recruitment and retention challenges at critical facilities.

Kenneth and Stephanie Erb, both correctional officers at Montana State Prison, received keys to their new townhome at Pintler Meadows in Deer Lodge last week, ending seven months of living in a camper since relocating from Florida.

“The department has been so welcoming and made us feel like we belong here from the start,” Stephanie Erb said. “Moving into the townhome still feels like a dream and I will forever be grateful to the state of Montana and the Montana Department of Corrections to have made this possible.”

The Erbs are among the first seven residents selected through a lottery system to occupy units in the 28-townhome development located just off Aspen Lane, east of Jaycee Park, behind the Powell County Fairgrounds.

Addressing Housing Crisis

The Pintler Meadows project represents the state’s direct response to workforce housing shortages that have hampered recruitment efforts at Montana State Prison and Montana State Hospital.

“The availability of affordable housing for employees at MSP, our largest secure facility, has been a struggle for the DOC in terms of recruitment and retention,” said Department of Corrections Director Brian Gootkin. “We appreciate this investment by Governor Gianforte and Montana legislators in the folks who perform these critical jobs. The looks on these people’s faces when they received their keys was priceless.”

Montana legislators allocated funding in the 2023 session through the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act to “begin to address housing needs and offer a regional, community-based solution to creating affordable, attainable workforce housing infrastructure in the state.”

The Montana Board of Investments oversees construction of the property, which is located within a 30-mile radius of both facilities. According to the program guidelines, 70% of the units are designated for Montana State Prison employees, while 30% serve Montana State Hospital employees.

Program Details

State workers qualifying for Pintler Meadows housing must meet specific income requirements: household income less than $110,000, spending no more than 30% of monthly household income on housing if awarded, or currently being unhoused. Occupants were selected earlier this year through a lottery system.

Monthly rent is set at $790, with approximately $90 in additional city fees, according to program documents. The lease term can extend up to five years, and no pets or smoking are allowed.

The two-story townhomes feature attached garages, full kitchens, living rooms, and two bedrooms with multiple bathrooms upstairs. Floor plans show substantial accommodations designed for families rather than single occupants.

Down Payment Assistance Program

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the program is its rent-to-ownership component. Tenants who maintain employment with Montana State Prison or Montana State Hospital through the end of their five-year lease become eligible for down payment assistance toward purchasing a new home.

The source of the down payment assistance comes from rent payments made throughout the tenancy at Pintler Meadows, minus maintenance and operating expenses.

If tenants leave state employment before completing the full lease term, they may face lease termination, according to program documents.

Future Expansion

The program represents Montana’s first foray into state employee workforce housing, with potential implications for other rural state facilities facing similar recruitment challenges.

A second lottery drawing was held July 8, with results communicated by July 31. Move-in dates for the second group are expected in fall and winter 2025.

For program information, residents can visit investmentmt.com/workforce-housing or contact Sam Holman at 406-444-1214.

“We appreciate this investment by Governor Gianforte and Montana legislators in the folks who perform these critical jobs,” Gootkin said.