A Montana non-profit is turning modular housing intended for oil workers into affordable housing.
According to the Missoulian, Homeword has purchased 10 modular homes that were to be used as housing for oil workers in Sidney, Montana.
Declining demand for oil workers in the area freed up the housing units for purchase.
Homeword’s housing development director Heather McMilin told the Missoulian that the units were purchased for an amount that would “normally pay for the studs and the wires.”
The modular homes provide between about 450 square feet of space for a one-bedroom model and 550 square feet for a two-bedroom model.
The units will be placed onto permanent foundations.
According to KPAX, the City of Missoula has inspected the units and determined they meet city codes and can be placed on parcels in the city.
Homeword told the Missoulian that the group is still determining how the homes will be used and is also looking for parcels to place the units.
McMilin told KPAX that Homeword worked with the Human Resource Development Council to share costs and keep the units as affordable as possible.
“We know we can deploy these and we’re doing it thoughtfully with the best use in mind,” McMilin told the news channel.
According to the organization’s website, Homeword has developed and renovated nearly 700 unit of affordable housing since 1995 through 24 development projects in 11 Montana communities.
