What Homeword does

Homeword is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community housing development organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Missoula, Montana. It develops and manages rent-restricted affordable rental housing while delivering HUD-certified homebuyer education, financial skill building classes, and one-on-one pre/post-purchase and financial counseling across 14 Montana communities and 51 counties. The organization's core products include a portfolio of 1,675 affordable homes (notably the 138-home Junegrass Place in Kalispell and the 101-unit LB Lofts in Billings), nationally certified financial education curricula, and counseling services delivered in-person and via Zoom. Notable technical components include the PODS (Premanufactured Overhauled Dwelling Solutions) modular construction method that repurposes Bakken oil field worker housing into combined two-bedroom apartments, and sustainable building practices spanning solar PV, solar hot water, Energy Star appliances, low-VOC finishes, and Nano Roof Sealer technology for asphalt shingle restoration.

Homeword's business model blends nonprofit revenue streams: rental income from owned affordable housing assets, development fees and long-term property management, federal and state capital allocations (Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME Investment Partnership Program, Community Development Block Grants, Housing Trust Fund, Montana Board of Housing awards), charitable donations from individuals and foundations (501(c)(3) tax-deductible, Bloomerang-processed), and modest program fees ($35 per person for homebuyer education; financial skill building and counseling offered free). Capital partners include Enterprise Community Partners, WNC (LIHTC equity), Glacier Bank (construction/permanent lending), First Security Bank and Stockman Bank (via FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund), and state/local agencies (Montana Department of Commerce, City of Missoula, Missoula County). The organization serves low-to-moderate income individuals and families, seniors and veterans, first-time homebuyers, individuals seeking financial stability, and homeless or housing-insecure populations across Montana, with leadership under Executive Director Karissa Trujillo and Board President Beth Hayes.

Name

Homeword

Legal name

Homeword

Website

https://homeword.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Homeword is a Missoula-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and manages rent-restricted affordable housing (1,675 homes across 14 Montana communities) and delivers HUD-certified homebuyer education, financial counseling, and coaching to low-to-moderate income households, seniors, veterans, and first-time buyers statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Homebuyer education
• Financial counseling
• Rental property management
• Community development nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Missoula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Affordable Housing Development: Homeword develops rent-restricted rental properties across Montana, creating homes for low-to-moderate income residents. Revenue comes from development fees, property management, and long-term asset ownership.
2. Government Grants and Tax Credits: Homeword receives funding through federal and state programs including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program, Housing Trust Fund, and Montana Department of Commerce allocations.
3. Educational Programs: Homeword offers homebuyer education classes ($35/person) and provides free financial skill building classes. Some counseling services are free while others generate modest revenue.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Homeword receives donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Tax ID: 81-0522626.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Homeword develops, owns, and manages rent-restricted affordable rental housing across Montana, providing safe and sustainably built homes for low-to-moderate income individuals, families, seniors, and veterans. The organization complements its housing portfolio with HUD-certified and nationally certified education programs (Homebuyer Education, Financial Skill Building, Successful Homeownership) and one-on-one pre-purchase, post-purchase, and financial counseling services delivered in-person and via Zoom statewide.

Product overview

Homeword is a Montana-based nonprofit housing organization offering an integrated housing ecosystem centered around three pillars: developing and managing rent-restricted rental properties (Residential, Commercial, Homeownership properties), providing education programs (Homebuyer Education, Financial Skill Building, Successful Homeownership classes), and delivering counseling services (Pre-Purchase, Post-Purchase, and Financial Counseling). The organization also operates a Conference Center and has launched innovative developments like Junegrass Place (138-home Kalispell community) and LB Lofts (Billings modular construction project). Programs are delivered in-person statewide and online via Zoom, with recent expansion of in-person classes to Flathead Valley.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Rental Properties Rent-restricted residential rental properties providing safe and affordable homes for low-to-moderate income individuals and families across Montana. Includes various unit types serving different income levels.
• Commercial Properties Commercial property offerings within mixed-use spaces created by Homeword.
• Homeownership Programs Homeownership-related properties and programs including single-family homes and homeownership education tracks for Montanans.
• Conference Center Conference and meeting facilities available for community events and gatherings at Homeword's Missoula headquarters.
• Homebuyer Education Classes Nationally certified homebuyer education classes teaching prospective homeowners how to select lenders, determine affordability, use credit wisely, understand loans, home inspections, insurance, and special financing programs. Taught by HUD Certified Housing Counselors at $35 per person.
• Financial Skill Building Classes Nationally certified financial education classes teaching money management, saving, investing, paying down debt, navigating complex finances, adapting to income changes, and building financial judgment. Offered free statewide semi-monthly via Zoom and in-person.
• Strategies for Successful Homeownership Classes Post-purchase education classes for homeowners covering market updates, credit and budgeting strategies, home maintenance tips, sustainable features, and Montana-specific homeowner programs.
• Pre-Purchase Counseling One-on-one counseling helping prospective buyers review budgets, set savings goals, overcome credit issues, and identify financing options with guidance throughout the homeownership journey. Provided free to participants by HUD Certified Housing Counselors.
• Post-Purchase Counseling Counseling for existing homeowners to navigate challenges including mortgage terms, home equity access, property tax management, and long-term financial planning. Provided free to participants.
• Financial Counseling One-on-one financial counseling providing personalized guidance for budgeting, credit improvement, debt management, and savings strategies. Offered free to participants.
• Junegrass Place 138-home rental community in Kalispell, MT, providing safe and healthy homes for low-to-moderate income households. Features solar panels, sustainable design, energy-efficient systems, and community amenities. Mix of 69 one-bedroom, 41 two-bedroom, and 28 three-bedroom units.
• LB Lofts 101-unit affordable multi-family rental development in Billings, MT using innovative PODS modular construction. Each unit combines two repurposed modular PODS into spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes designed for roommates or small families. Groundbreaking expected fall 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $8 million in annual savings for residents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GMD DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Junegrass Place in Kalispell and other joint housing development projects in Montana.
• NeighborWorks Great FallscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Baatz Block Apartments permanent supportive housing project in Great Falls - Homeword provided development expertise for historic building transformation.
• NeighborWorks MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUD-approved housing counseling partnership; matched savings program collaboration where NeighborWorks matches participant savings alongside Homeword.
• Flathead Valley Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner hosting in-person homebuyer and financial education classes in Kalispell location.
• Seldin CompanycoreOthersProfessional property management company handling day-to-day operations at Junegrass Place and other properties.
• Missoula PaddleHeadsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Housing Night promotional partnership raising awareness and funds for affordable housing efforts in Missoula.
• Park Side Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHousing Night sponsorship partner supporting affordable housing awareness events.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BRIDGE Housing: West Coast-focused nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator with a similar integrated mission including homeownership counseling and resident services. Comparable LIHTC-driven development model and community-organization roots.
• Mercy Housing: One of the largest U.S. affordable housing nonprofits, operating ~50,000 affordable homes across 40+ states. Highly comparable business model (development + resident services + property management) at much larger national scale.
• National Housing Trust: National nonprofit developer and preservationist of affordable multifamily housing using LIHTC. Comparable in operating multifamily affordable units and using federal tax-credit financing as core growth engine.
• Champlain Housing Trust: Burlington, Vermont-based nonprofit affordable housing organization recognized nationally for its shared-equity homeownership model. Comparable as an integrated nonprofit combining rental development, homebuyer education, and counseling.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that develops and preserves affordable housing and provides capacity-building grants to community development organizations. Already a direct funding partner to Homeword and a national-scale operator in the same space.
• NeighborWorks America: National network of 240+ affordable housing and community development nonprofits. Homeword's counseling partner NeighborWorks Montana is a member, making the national parent highly comparable as a funder/umbrella network.

Others

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development intermediary providing financing, capacity-building, and grants to CDOs. Comparable as a Montana-active funder/peer ecosystem player rather than a direct property developer.

Direct peers

• NeighborWorks Montana: Statewide Montana housing counseling and development nonprofit; directly comparable to Homeword in mission, HUD-approved counseling services, and affordable housing development pipeline, and is also an active collaborator via the matched-savings program.
• HomeFront: Co-development partner on the LB Lofts PODS project in Billings; comparable in using modular/repurposed construction for affordable housing and serves a similar low-income resident base.
• Habitat for Humanity Montana: Statewide affiliate network building affordable homes for low-income families in Montana through volunteer labor and sweat equity. Direct peer in affordable homeownership, homebuyer education (Habitat University), and reliance on local community partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnc_L9-X1kuruNRNi1cI75A
• Facebookfacebook.com/HomewordMT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homewordmt
• Instagraminstagram.com/homewordmt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Homeword