Old Hellgate Village Wastewater System Improvement Project
Project Description
Missoula County is applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support the installation of new sewer mains and services to 34 households in Old Hellgate Village, a resident-owned manufactured home community located at 6125 Mullan Road. The current septic systems are old, and a preliminary engineering report established that the best solution was to install new sewer mains and sewer services to each home with connection to the City of Missoula sewer main next to Mullan Road.
The total cost of this project is at least $2.2 million. The maximum CDBG award is $750,000. Other grants and loans have been secured or are being sought to fill the funding gap. If all funding is secured, the project could start fall 2027.
Old Hellgate Village asked Missoula County to apply for the grant on their behalf. The county commissioners approved county staff to work on this application at a recent administrative public meeting.
County staff are now seeking public comment in support of this project to help strengthen the grant application.
Project Background
Residents of Old Hellgate Village, with the help of NeighborWorks Montana, were able to purchase the manufactured home community from the previous owner in 2024. When purchasing the park, residents learned the septic system would require significant updates. Households in Old Hellgate Village are primarily working-class/fixed-income residents.
What is a Community Development Block Grant?
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and supports eligible community development projects. Activities may address needs such as infrastructure, economic development, community facilities, housing development and housing rehabilitation. CDBG funding must benefit low-to-moderate income individuals and communities.
Project Timeline
Old Hellgate Village presentation: 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28
- In-person location: 6125 Mullan Road (between Units 26 and 27). No virtual option is available.
Project Leads
Melissa Richards, 406-258-3447
Sindie Kennedy, 406-258-3688
Public Comment
Submit public comment by Friday, Oct. 2, by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below. Public comment received will help strengthen the grant application.
Important Links and Documents
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Phone 406-258-3447 Email mrichards@missoulacounty.us -
Phone 406-258-3688
I strongly support Missoula County’s CDBG application for Old Hellgate Village. Old Hellgate Village provides 34 households with affordable housing, primarily serving working-class and fixed-income residents. Maintaining this community as affordable housing is especially important given the continued need for affordable housing options in Missoula.
The community’s aging septic systems are failing and require a significant infrastructure investment. Without this project, residents could face increasing costs, infrastructure problems, and the potential loss of an important source of affordable housing. As a resident-owned community, the homeowners have taken on the responsibility of owning and maintaining this property, but a $2.2 million sewer project is far beyond what the community can reasonably fund through resident assessments or operating costs alone.
CDBG funding would help make this critical infrastructure project possible while allowing Old Hellgate Village to remain a stable, affordable, resident-owned community for the 34 households who live there. I encourage the MT Department of Commerce to support this application and help secure the funding needed to address the failing septic system and preserve this affordable housing community for the future.