Published
November 25, 2025
Housing affordability has become one of the most urgent economic challenges of our time. Across the country, communities are grappling with rising housing costs that are outpacing wages and straining family budgets. Limited supply, outdated zoning rules, and infrastructure challenges have made it harder for builders and the supply chain to keep up with demand. This action is pushing many would-be homeowners to the sidelines, leaving communities to contend with slower economic growth and higher pressure on states and localities.
As communities search for solutions to increase housing availability and affordability, one state has emerged with an ambitious, successful, and importantly, a bipartisan approach that’s drawing national attention: Montana’s the “Montana Miracle.”
During the U.S. Chamber’s inaugural Housing Summit, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte spoke about how housing is foundational to the American Dream, but without addressing housing shortage challenges, that dream becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. What made Montana’s success unique was not just the policies passed, but the collaboration that made it all possible.
Housing Summit Event Recap:
In his address, Gianforte described how Montana faced a severe housing shortage despite its low population density. Between 2010 and 2020, the state's population grew 10%, becoming the third-fastest-growing state, but housing unit growth did not keep pace.
“Ignoring this problem and kicking the can down the road [were] not options. We had to act decisively and urgently, and we did,” Gianforte said.
Recognizing the severity of the problem, state leaders like Gianforte took decisive action. In 2022, Montana convened a 26-member Housing Task Force Task Force that brought together Republican and Democratic legislators, local officials, builders, bankers, realtors, policy experts, the business community, economists, nonprofits, and advocates across the political spectrum.
Charged with identifying short- and long-term solutions, the task force focused on three critical areas: expanding the construction workforce, reforming land-use regulations, and modernizing zoning restrictions. In addition to focusing on these areas, Gianforte shared that the key reforms created a special state revenue account for water and sewer infrastructure and allowed accessory dwelling units.
“We modernized a century–old system to make land use and planning more predictable, cutting red tape and streamlining permitting,” he said.
The bipartisan pro-housing reforms were passed in Montana in 2023, which included removing multi-family parking mandates, legalizing six-story apartment buildings, and allowing single-stair residential buildings.
Gianforte said the goal was to make housing more affordable and accessible, particularly for essential workers. “Attainable housing is out of reach for too many Montanans. People like our teachers, law enforcement officers and first responders should be able to live where they work,” he said.
Gianforte also emphasized a gradual, strategic approach to solving the severe housing shortage in Montana, focusing on incremental improvements rather than sweeping changes. “Better is always possible, and you win by running three- to five-yard plays, not by throwing Hail Mary’s.”
Gianforte said he is proud of what his state achieved to bring the American Dream of homeownership into greater reach for more Montanans. “I hope the pro-housing reforms will serve as a guide for other states,” Gianforte said.
Montana’s experience shows that meaningful housing reform is possible when parties work collaboratively toward solutions that expand opportunity. A healthy housing market is essential to economic growth and workforce stability. Reducing barriers, streamlining permitting, increasing access to capital and ensuring a strong workforce are core housing priorities for the business community.
The U.S. Chamber believes that solving the housing affordability and availability challenges requires pragmatic, bipartisan leadership rooted in expanding supply, modernizing outdated regulations and empowering communities to build the housing their residents need. This effort will take the combined efforts of industry leaders, community organizations, and policymakers at all levels to lower housing costs and increase the abundance of available housing across America.
Related Reading:
About the author
Jen Scungio
Jen Scungio is the Senior Director, Editorial and Digital Media at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
