The Twin Bridges affordable housing project is proposed to be constructed on a 12,500/0.287+/- acre vacant site that is located on the southeast corner of South Madison Street and East 3rd Avenue near the downtown area of Twin Bridges. The site is owned by the Twin Bridges School District and therefore the specified intended use of the development would be for teacher housing. The site has municipal water and sewer services available to it from the Town of Twin Bridges and has electricity and natural gas available to it from NorthWestern Energy. The site is considered to be relatively walkable to the Twin Bridges school facilities and local businesses.

Multiple development concepts have been explored for the site which have been primarily narrowed down to two duplex options. Based on site dimensions, dimensions from the identified duplex concepts, and setback/height requirements, it appears that the site can situate the development of two duplex buildings with a total of four units. One construction concept being explored is a traditional stick-frame duplex building plan that was utilized in the MeadowView affordable housing project in Big Sky and includes two 2-bedroom/2.5-bathroom units per building with approximately 1,001+/- livable square feet per unit. The other construction concept being explored is a modular duplex building plan that has been utilized in the Jackson, Wyoming area and includes two 2-bedroom/2-bathroom units per building with approximately 1,130+/- livable square feet per unit. Construction timeframes range from between four and eight months depending on the construction methodology that is utilized, the number of buildings that are constructed and other variables.

The need for this project is a result of the lack of affordable housing options for Madison County residents, and more specifically for teachers in the Twin Bridges area. The Twin Bridges School District currently has teachers commuting from areas that are outlying to Twin Bridges such as Dillon, Melrose and Butte. Furthermore, the Twin Bridges School District has needed to rely on partially remote staff in vital roles such as the Superintendent position due to lack of affordable housing options. Some Twin Bridges staff members are living in community-provided ranch housing which, while fortunate to have available, is not a permanent nor guaranteed housing situation. There is at least one example of a Twin Bridges staff member that is living in a finished garage that is being utilized as a rental. With these observations in mind, initiative to create affordable housing on the site that is owned by the Twin Bridges School District was agreed to be a cause requiring prioritization.

Should the project move forward, it would be developed with coordination assistance from the Twin Bridges School and Community Foundation. While funding sources have not yet been finalized, they are currently being researched by the Twin Bridges School and Community Foundation and the Madison County Housing and Advisory Board. Possible funding opportunities that are being explored include public cooperation at the federal, state and county levels, low interest loan programs, and private fundraising efforts. Following completion, it is intended that the units would be rented at or near levels that are considered to fit within the parameters of “affordable housing” or “homes residents can afford” as defined in the 2025 Housing Action Plan for Madison County which is equal to or less than 30% of gross household income (before taxes) for renters towards contract rent and utilities.

The preliminary plan for the Twin Bridges affordable housing project was presented to the  Madison County Board Commissioners at a working meeting on June 23, 2025; however, it is currently unknown as to when it will be added to the Commissioners’ agenda as a formal action item. The timeline for this along with the overall timeline for the project is dependent on funding opportunities which are currently being researched and considered. Construction budgets and financial models have been developed and analyzed to demonstrate the financial feasibility of the project in multiple scenarios. It is the intent of the Twin Bridges School and Community Foundation to work in collaboration with the Twin Bridges School District, Madison County Housing Advisory Board, municipal, county, state and federal entities, and private parties to further progress on this project. It is hopeful that should this development come to fruition, it could be used as a valuable pilot project and template for affordable housing projects in other counties throughout Madison County.