MISSOULA—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has committed $1.89 million in low-interest financing to the Wildflower Apartments in Missoula, marking the first loan issued through the state’s Multifamily Energy Retrofit Loan program.
The financing will support energy-efficiency upgrades at the affordable housing complex near Missoula’s south hills, with a focus on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
DEQ said the improvements are intended to make the apartments more comfortable while reducing energy use and lowering utility costs for residents.
The Wildflower project includes the renovation of 96 affordable housing units. Construction began in September and is expected to be completed by February 2028.
Missoula Housing Authority Executive Director Sam Oliver said the upgrades are expected to improve heating during the winter and cooling during the summer while helping residents save money on monthly utility bills.
The project is being financed through a combination of resources that include the Montana Board of Housing, private capital and the DEQ loan program.
Project developers said the financing package will also help preserve the apartments’ affordable-housing status and reduce the risk of displacement for more than 170 residents.
The Multifamily Energy Retrofit Loan program provides low-interest loans to existing multifamily affordable housing properties for energy-efficiency improvements.
The program is funded through a $5.1 million grant DEQ received from the U.S. Department of Energy.
As loans are repaid, DEQ plans to use the money to support similar affordable-housing energy projects elsewhere in Montana.