The affordability of housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing our community in Billings and across the country, and recent findings from the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) highlight the growing difficulty that many residents face in finding homes within their budget. As a local developer and passionate advocate for community-focused living, our team at McCall Homes wanted to share some thoughts on this issue and explain how we are addressing it head-on. 

The housing affordability gap

The CRE report revealed a startling reality—four of Billings’ top five job sectors including healthcare, retail and food service, don’t pay enough for workers to afford a median-priced home. On top of that, the availability of homes under $300,000 has fallen significantly over the past five years. 

This is more than a housing market trend—it’s a real issue for real people. These are hardworking individuals who teach your children, care for your families and keep your local businesses running, and they all deserve a place to call their own. It’s for this reason that we’ve made affordable housing a priority at McCall Homes. 

Why ADUs are a game changer

One of the solutions we’re proud to champion is the Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU. If you’re not familiar, ADUs are smaller homes built on the same property as a main house, and they offer so much flexibility for homeowners:

• Affordable living: ADUs provide a lower-cost housing option in established neighborhoods. 
• Extra income: Homeowners can rent out an ADU, which helps offset mortgage costs. 
• Family spaces: They’re ideal for extended family members, like aging parents or adult children. 

They’re not just about building more homes—they’re about creating opportunities for a number of potential buyers. While Billings is still warming up to this concept, we truly believe that ADUs are a key part of our future housing solutions. 

What we’re doing in Annafeld

At McCall Homes, we’ve always believed that building a house isn’t enough, and we aim to build communities where people can feel connected and supported. In Annafeld, we’ve embraced a mix of housing options to meet a wide range of needs with ADUs for flexibility and affordability, cozy cottages and townhomes, single-family homes and multi-unit properties.

This variety is intentional. We want everyone, from young professionals to retirees, to find their perfect fit in Annafeld. Our neighborhood is designed to encourage connection—whether it’s a friendly wave from the front porch, kids laughing in a shared green space or neighbors stopping to chat on the road. 

Making a difference for Billings

What motivates us most is knowing that affordable housing isn’t just about square footage or price points—it’s about people. It’s about creating homes for teachers, healthcare workers, small business employees and others who make Billings such a wonderful place to live. We feel a deep responsibility to do our part, and we’re committed to building homes that reflect the needs of our community. 

Be a part of this exciting transformation

If you’re curious about how these ideas are coming to life in Annafeld, we’d love to show you around. Come see our furnished ADU units, walk our streets and imagine what it’s like to live in a neighborhood where community truly matters. 

Together, we can make Billings a place where everyone belongs, one home at a time. Give us a call at (406) 651-5354 or fill out our online form today for more information.