Why Housing Diversity Matters

Young adults, elders, big families, single parents, individuals with disabilities—they all call Billings their home. Housing must be able to serve the needs of diverse households and that means shelter that varies in size, form, and price. A single-family house with three bedrooms and a large yard is not suitable for every household. A young professional or elder person living alone on a limited income is certainly looking for a home that is just right for their needs. Yet in Billings we see a mismatch between housing types that residents need and can afford and what is actually available.

In Billings...

1-person households represent 32% of all households

2-person households represent 35% of all households

Together they represent two-thirds of all households in Billings

Yet,

Only 40% of all housing units are studios, one-bedroom,
or two-bedroom units

Of elderly households renting, 49% are housing cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their gross monthly income

43% of households in Billings earn 80% or less of Billings Median Family Income.*
*HUD Area Median Family Income for Billings City was $59,500 in 2014, the most recent year for which the housing burden data was provided

Of those households, 35% are housing cost burdened--spending more than 30% of their gross monthly income

Currently,

There is a lack of housing choice in Billings
Over 60% of the housing stock in Billings is a large single family home on a large lot

One type of housing cannot meet the needs of all households

We need a more diverse range of housing choice
Families of all shapes and sizes can call Billings home if we have more choices

Source

​U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data for Billings city, MT (2010-2014).

U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2012-2016 5-Year Estimates for Billings city, MT.