Billings City Council Work Session - September 8, 2026

The Billings City Council Work Session held on September 8, 2026, focused extensively on housing challenges in the community. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a housing program exploration report, which highlighted the shortage of housing units and proposed the creation of a dedicated city staff position to coordinate housing efforts, facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, and implement housing strategies. The council debated funding sources, potential roles, and the impact of such a position, with public comments largely supporting the initiative but some council members expressing concerns about costs and effectiveness. Ultimately, the council voted against beginning implementation of the proposed housing coordinator position, opting instead to seek further development of the scope and funding options. Additionally, the council reviewed a veteran-focused affordable housing project involving government funding and discussed the hiring process for a permanent city administrator, deciding to proceed with an internal recruitment process. Other agenda items included updates on capital improvement projects and upcoming public hearings related to housing and community development.