Montana has topped the nation in year-over-year increases in single-family home permits, according to a new report from the National Association of Home Builders.
The Washington, D.C.-based trade association, which represents over 140,000 members in the residential construction industry, reported that seven states recorded year-over-year increases in single-family permits in January. Gains ranged from 25.5 percent in Montana to 0.4 percent in Washington, while the remaining 42 states and the District of Columbia reported declines.
The results follow several years of housing policy reforms in Montana aimed at increasing the supply of affordable, attainable housing. A bipartisan Housing Task Force launched in July 2022 produced three reports identifying the root causes of the state’s housing shortage and recommended solutions to be implemented administratively or through changes to law.
The task force’s recommendations provided a roadmap for lawmakers ahead of the 2023 legislative session, leading to what some have dubbed the “Montana Miracle” — a series of historic pro-housing reforms adopted by the state.
Among the key legislative changes, the Montana Land Use Planning Act, sponsored by Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, required local governments to reform zoning regulations. A separate bill also sponsored by Sen. Mandeville streamlined local government review requirements and requires local jurisdictions to review an application for a division of land within 20 days.
“In Montana, we are seeing the results of our work to increase the supply of affordable, attainable housing,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said. “By streamlining local government permitting, home builders are able to more quickly respond to the demands of our growing communities.”
By DNU staff