State of Montana Newsroom
Governor Gianforte Promotes Pro-Housing Reforms on National Stage
Attends inaugural Reagan National Economic Forum with national leaders
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte recently attended the Reagan National Economic Forum (RNEF) at the Reagan Presidential Library in California to highlight recent reforms in Montana that made the state a national leader in housing policy.
The governor was one of four panelists for a discussion focused on the national housing shortage, joining Rick Caruso, Founder and Executive Chairman of real estate company Caruso, Richard McPhail, CFO of Home Depot, and Nicole Nosek, Chair of the Board at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
“Homeownership is a key component of the American Dream,” Gov. Gianforte said. “When you own a home, you build wealth, and you root yourself in your community. In Montana, we've taken steps to reduce red tape and increase the supply of affordable, attainable housing so that more Montanans can thrive.”
Gov. Gianforte speaking during a panel discussion at the Reagan National Economic Forum
The RNEF was established by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute to bring together policymakers, business leaders, scholars, and innovators from across industries to explore ways the United States can strengthen opportunity, innovation, and prosperity in the face of global competition.
Spearheading state efforts to resolve the housing supply shortage, the governor launched a diverse, bipartisan Housing Task Force in July 2022. The governor’s task force produced three reports that identified problems at the root of the state’s housing shortage and provided solutions that could be implemented administratively or through changes to law.
The task force’s recommendations provided a roadmap for lawmakers ahead of the 2023 legislative session, leading to a successful housing agenda that some have dubbed the “Montana Miracle.”
Several of the reforms included those that encouraged development affordable starter homes, required local governments to establish zoning regulations to meet future housing needs, and streamlined permitting for commercial and residential development, to name a few.
In the 2025 legislative session, the governor signed into law additional pro-housing reforms to eliminate artificial height restrictions, allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on county-zoned parcels, and remove costly administrative fees that cities charge developers, to name a few.
A full report of pro-housing reforms from the 2023 legislative session can be read here . A video recording of the RNEF panel discussion can be viewed here .
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