Katoonah Lodges residents in Missoula push back on rent hikes

One resident said the change had reshaped the housing market inside the park.

"It has gone up 35% in the two years that they have owned this lot. One has been on the market for almost a year. It used to be in all of the time that I've lived out here. If a home went up for sale out here, it was bought within ten days," said Becky Boehmer.

Residents said quiet streets and close-knit neighbors had long made the community feel stable, but several now saw homes sitting unsold with for-sale signs still up.

Another resident said that uncertainty had created a sense of being stuck.

"Homes are not moving here anymore... So it's definitely got me concerned as to, you know, can I ever move out? It's kind of a feeling of entrapment in a way," said Jason Murray.

Residents reported that 68% of the park formed a supermajority and created the Katoonah Lodges Tenants Union.

The group sent a certified demand letter to Axia that called for a standardized five-year lease, lot rent set at $650 a month and future increases capped at 2%.

One resident said the union wanted a conversation about predictable costs.

"Really, all we're asking from Axia is to come to the table and talk with us and see what we can negotiate in terms of reasonable and expected rent increases so people can prepare," said Linda Osmanson.

Charlotte Perry with the Missoula Housing Authority explained that similar cases were becoming more common across Montana.

She said federal help such as the Housing Choice Voucher could sometimes cover part of lot rent for people who qualified. Once approved, tenants paid 30% to 40% of their income and HUD covered the rest.

Perry said large rent increases still put many households in a hard spot.

"When there are, like, rent increases of what we're talking about today, that can sometimes out price what a lot of people are if they're on fixed incomes, especially in 55 plus communities. So, if they're out pricing that, then it makes, puts them in a very difficult position," said Charlotte Perry.

NonStop Local reached out to Axia Realty Partners about the rent increases and the tenant union's letter. The company had not responded by deadline.

For many residents, the issue came down to keeping the homes they had worked to afford.

"What we need here is stability. We need to know that we're going to be able to maintain our homes, you know, tomorrow... It's just there are days it's just not fair. You worked for all these years. You got to the point of owning your own home, even if it wasn't your first one. And now this," said Laurie Harris.

Residents were waiting to see whether Axia would agree to negotiate.

People looking for help with tenant rights were advised to contact Montana Legal Services. Those seeking housing assistance options beyond Missoula were told they could contact their regional Human Resource Council or the Montana Department of Commerce.