Missoula Approves Tax Increment Financing for Workforce Housing

The funding mechanism exchanges public funding for a certain number of affordable units.

1 minute read

October 16, 2023, 10:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Large homes in neighborhood covered in snow in Missoula, Montana with mountains in background gainst sunset sky.

Se Shig Creative / Adobe Stock

An article by David Erickson in The Missoulian explains a new form of development incentive called Tax Increment Financing (TIF), recently approved by the Missoula Redevelopment Agency board.

“The Missoula Redevelopment Agency is inviting housing developers to discuss options for receiving Tax Increment Financing for projects that include workforce housing units after a new set of guidelines for a pilot project was approved last month by the agency’s board,” Erickson adds.

The program would provide public assistance to eligible projects that include units that meet affordability requirements, including remaining affordable for 30 years for rentals and 75 years for sales projects. “The Montana Legislature in 2021 amended state law to allow workforce housing to be included in the list of infrastructure types that can be paid for by TIF.”

The TIF mechanism has funded other major projects around the country, including the Chicago Red Line extension and infrastructure repairs in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sunday, October 15, 2023 in The Missoulian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

30 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps

New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

June 13 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Group of people at table set ouf with picnic food on street during a neighborhood block party.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors

A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

June 13 - The Kansas City Star