Last week, the city’s Community Development, Planning and Innovation office released a draft of its new Land Use Plan (until recently these were called “growth policies” in Montana) to “highlight community priorities for future growth and put in place long-term land use strategies that aim to address the city’s emerging issues and challenges.”

Missoula’s housing crisis can be summed up by one paragraph on page 27 of the document:

“The community faces an escalating housing shortage that inadequately meets the needs of its diverse and growing population, resulting in increased economic and racial disparities,” the document states. “Current housing policies do not provide a range of affordable housing types throughout all neighborhoods, favoring wealthier newcomers and pushing lower-income families out of the city.”