Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley project aims to add affordable homes for working families

BELGRADE, Mont. — Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley is planning to begin work in June on two lower-cost homes at the West Post development in Belgrade as housing prices remained high across the Gallatin Valley. 

The project focuses on single-family homes for working families who are trying to get established.  

Each home would cost about $450,000 to build and would be sold to buyers for about $350,000, said Jason Sakran, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley. Community support will help cover the roughly $100,000 gap. 

A report released a few weeks ago by the Southwest Montana Realtors’ Association said the median price of a single-family home in the Gallatin Valley in 2025 was $696,000. That puts the planned Habitat home price at roughly half that figure. 

“Our approach is generational wealth, one house at a time. And we can build that wealth. We do end that cycle of, not homelessness, but housing insecurity. That’s the goal for us is not so much rentals but homeownership,” Sakran said. 

Habitat plans to build eight homes over the next three summers. 

“They’re 1,500 square foot, three-bedroom, two-bath, homes with a with a garage. These are traditional homes. They’re going to be well built. You’re not going to know that these are habitat homes in the community,” Sakran said. 

Families who applied and are approved for homeownership are expected to take part in the process. That includes work on the home itself, or a combination of work and volunteer hours at the Restore, the thrift store that helps Habitat fund itself. 

Thanks to a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the Restore is in the process of expanding. Work will begin to add onto the existing building soon, and a separate building across the street from the store is also undergoing renovations. 

The Restore goes beyond a regular thrift shopping experience. They also sell donated home building supplies and equipment. The new separate building will cater to some higher end furniture and clothing. 

If you are interested in learning more about housing programs, you can visit Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley's website.