Montana’s Affordable Housing Champions Receive Awards
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HELENA, Mont. – Representatives from the Montana Department of Commerce and NeighborWorks Montana presented awards to Montana’s affordable housing champions during the annual Housing Partnership Conference today in Billings.
“Commerce extends its congratulations to these individuals and organizations who make a critical impact in Montana,” said Mandy Rambo, acting director at the Montana Department of Commerce. “We recognize the incredible work these awardees have completed and how those efforts have changed the lives of countless Montana families.”
These honors are presented to individuals who have shown extraordinary commitment to increasing access to attainable, affordable housing for all Montanans.
2025 Housing Champion Award Recipients:
Winners: Bob Gauthier, Jeff Rupp, Jim McGrath and Pat Melby
Bob Gauthier (posthumous):
Bob Gauthier served as the housing director of the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority from 1983-1993. In the early 1990s, Gauthier was also chairman of the National Commission on American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing, established by Congress to evaluate factors that impede the development of safe and affordable housing. Gauthier was very proud of the work done by the commission, whose findings resulted in the passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. Over the next thirty years, he worked tirelessly to implement NAHASDA. Gauthier also served as the first president of the United Native American Housing Association, comprised of over 30 tribally designated housing entities in the Northern Plains.
Additionally, Gauthier was a founding member of the AMERIND Risk Management Corporation, a national self-insuring risk management pool providing property and liability coverage to several thousand homes in Indian Country, serving on its board of directors for more than ten years as treasurer and chairman. Gauthier also played a fundamental role in the development of the successful S&K Technologies, a wholly owned corporation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, overseeing its tremendous growth as longtime chairman of the board.
Over the course of his impressive career, Gauthier served on the Seattle Board of the Federal Home Loan Bank, Fannie Mae’s Housing Impact Council, the NAHASDA Negotiated Rule-Making Committee and the Montana Board of Housing. In 2002, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the Community Development Financial Institutions Advisory Board.
Gauthier, who lived in Ronan, passed away on February 8, 2025.
Jeff Rupp (posthumous):
Jeff Rupp served as the executive director of the Human Resources Development Council in Bozeman for 35 years. Under his leadership, HRDC expanded programming to the wide array of services it offers today by establishing a stronger connection between the nonprofit, local, state and federal governments. Under Rupp’s leadership, the state’s first food bank was created, and Montana's first community affordable land trust was established and then replicated across the state at the request of the Montana Legislature.
Additionally, Rupp oversaw the establishment of the Montana Conservation Corp, an organization dedicated to inspiring young people to be stewards of the land. By collaborating with colleagues in Kalispell and Billings, Rupp helped create Montana's first free public bus system and was part of the original team that began Head Start, along with Bozeman Public Schools and Montana State University.
Rupp, who lived in Bozeman, passed away on February 20, 2025.
Jim McGrath:
Missoula resident Jim McGrath joined the Missoula Housing Authority in 2005; for 19 years, he played a crucial role in guiding the organization through significant growth in programs and staff. Highlights of McGrath’s tenure include the expansion of HUD-funded vouchers from 825 to 1,250, dramatically increasing access to affordable housing for low-income families and individuals. McGrath also expanded MHA’s role as a key partner in serving the homeless both in Missoula and across the state. McGrath administered MHA’s modest Homeownership Voucher program, which served five families when he started at MHA; McGrath doubled that number in his first year and eventually grew it to two dozen.
McGrath’s housing and community development work dates back to the early 1990s as one of the founding members of the North Missoula Community Development Corporation, now Front Step CLT. His commitment to housing is evident through his extensive involvement on local, state and national boards. McGrath actively participated in Missoula's At-Risk Housing Coalition and the coordinating committee for the Annual Five Valleys Housing Report, presented by the Missoula Organization of Realtors. McGrath was the president of the Montana Continuum of Care and held the positions of president and vice president of the Montana Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.
McGrath retired as MHA’s director of HUD programs in 2024.
Pat Melby:
Pat Melby of Helena was honored today for his service as a board member and chairman of the Montana Board of Housing, serving two consecutive four-year terms beginning in 2013 and 2017, concluding his board position in 2021.
Prior to his leadership on the board, Melby served as general counsel to the MBOH, providing sound legal advice on complex financial and programmatic matters. Additionally, he was recognized today for his role in drafting the board’s enacting legislation, the Housing Act of 1975, that established MBOH and its critical affordable housing mission. The MBOH is tremendously grateful for Melby’s pivotal role spanning several decades.
Winner: HomeFront, Billings
HomeFront creates a path to self-sufficiency and homeownership for families and individuals with moderate and lower incomes by creating partnerships to build new affordable communities, collaborating with local experts to address the most critical needs in Billings while helping to combat homelessness, end domestic violence and by supporting physical and mental health.
The Montana Housing Partnership is a group of housing professionals in business and government from across the state who share information and experiences while creating opportunities for peer exchange and collaboration. Conference attendees included individuals from affordable housing organizations, housing development companies, government agencies and other housing stakeholders.
“Commerce extends its congratulations to these individuals and organizations who make a critical impact in Montana,” said Mandy Rambo, acting director at the Montana Department of Commerce. “We recognize the incredible work these awardees have completed and how those efforts have changed the lives of countless Montana families.”
These honors are presented to individuals who have shown extraordinary commitment to increasing access to attainable, affordable housing for all Montanans.
2025 Housing Champion Award Recipients:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes leaders who have made significant and sustained contributions to advance affordable housing in Montana.
Winners: Bob Gauthier, Jeff Rupp, Jim McGrath and Pat Melby
Bob Gauthier (posthumous):
Bob Gauthier served as the housing director of the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority from 1983-1993. In the early 1990s, Gauthier was also chairman of the National Commission on American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing, established by Congress to evaluate factors that impede the development of safe and affordable housing. Gauthier was very proud of the work done by the commission, whose findings resulted in the passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. Over the next thirty years, he worked tirelessly to implement NAHASDA. Gauthier also served as the first president of the United Native American Housing Association, comprised of over 30 tribally designated housing entities in the Northern Plains.
Additionally, Gauthier was a founding member of the AMERIND Risk Management Corporation, a national self-insuring risk management pool providing property and liability coverage to several thousand homes in Indian Country, serving on its board of directors for more than ten years as treasurer and chairman. Gauthier also played a fundamental role in the development of the successful S&K Technologies, a wholly owned corporation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, overseeing its tremendous growth as longtime chairman of the board.
Over the course of his impressive career, Gauthier served on the Seattle Board of the Federal Home Loan Bank, Fannie Mae’s Housing Impact Council, the NAHASDA Negotiated Rule-Making Committee and the Montana Board of Housing. In 2002, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the Community Development Financial Institutions Advisory Board.
Gauthier, who lived in Ronan, passed away on February 8, 2025.
Jeff Rupp (posthumous):
Jeff Rupp served as the executive director of the Human Resources Development Council in Bozeman for 35 years. Under his leadership, HRDC expanded programming to the wide array of services it offers today by establishing a stronger connection between the nonprofit, local, state and federal governments. Under Rupp’s leadership, the state’s first food bank was created, and Montana's first community affordable land trust was established and then replicated across the state at the request of the Montana Legislature.
Additionally, Rupp oversaw the establishment of the Montana Conservation Corp, an organization dedicated to inspiring young people to be stewards of the land. By collaborating with colleagues in Kalispell and Billings, Rupp helped create Montana's first free public bus system and was part of the original team that began Head Start, along with Bozeman Public Schools and Montana State University.
Rupp, who lived in Bozeman, passed away on February 20, 2025.
Jim McGrath:
Missoula resident Jim McGrath joined the Missoula Housing Authority in 2005; for 19 years, he played a crucial role in guiding the organization through significant growth in programs and staff. Highlights of McGrath’s tenure include the expansion of HUD-funded vouchers from 825 to 1,250, dramatically increasing access to affordable housing for low-income families and individuals. McGrath also expanded MHA’s role as a key partner in serving the homeless both in Missoula and across the state. McGrath administered MHA’s modest Homeownership Voucher program, which served five families when he started at MHA; McGrath doubled that number in his first year and eventually grew it to two dozen.
McGrath’s housing and community development work dates back to the early 1990s as one of the founding members of the North Missoula Community Development Corporation, now Front Step CLT. His commitment to housing is evident through his extensive involvement on local, state and national boards. McGrath actively participated in Missoula's At-Risk Housing Coalition and the coordinating committee for the Annual Five Valleys Housing Report, presented by the Missoula Organization of Realtors. McGrath was the president of the Montana Continuum of Care and held the positions of president and vice president of the Montana Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.
McGrath retired as MHA’s director of HUD programs in 2024.
Pat Melby:
Pat Melby of Helena was honored today for his service as a board member and chairman of the Montana Board of Housing, serving two consecutive four-year terms beginning in 2013 and 2017, concluding his board position in 2021.
Prior to his leadership on the board, Melby served as general counsel to the MBOH, providing sound legal advice on complex financial and programmatic matters. Additionally, he was recognized today for his role in drafting the board’s enacting legislation, the Housing Act of 1975, that established MBOH and its critical affordable housing mission. The MBOH is tremendously grateful for Melby’s pivotal role spanning several decades.
- People’s Choice Award: Each year, conference attendees vote on a People’s Choice Award, selecting one organization from among their peers doing exemplary work. The awardee receives $3,000 to use toward making a short film to highlight their work more broadly.
Winner: HomeFront, Billings
HomeFront creates a path to self-sufficiency and homeownership for families and individuals with moderate and lower incomes by creating partnerships to build new affordable communities, collaborating with local experts to address the most critical needs in Billings while helping to combat homelessness, end domestic violence and by supporting physical and mental health.
- Community Give Back: In addition to the awards, each year the Housing Partnership gives back to the conference’s host city or region through the “Community Give Back” sponsorship. This year, $2,500 was awarded to Gratitude in Action, a nonprofit organization in Billings dedicated to fostering recovery and sober living, providing individuals a chance to achieve self-sufficiency. Their community embodies hope and resilience, guiding individuals through chronic addiction, homelessness and incarceration.
The Montana Housing Partnership is a group of housing professionals in business and government from across the state who share information and experiences while creating opportunities for peer exchange and collaboration. Conference attendees included individuals from affordable housing organizations, housing development companies, government agencies and other housing stakeholders.
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