Press & Media
ShelterWF in the News
Since our founding in 2022, ShelterWF's work has been covered by outlets across Northwest Montana and statewide. Below is a collection of news articles, features, editorials, and opinion pieces about or significantly featuring our organization and team.
2026
Flathead Advocacy Group Commissions Survey Ahead of Land Use Plan Approvals
Coverage of the Livable Flathead / ShelterWF polling project, with Keegan Siebenaler describing the results as evidence that "the support for density in workforce housing has always been a silent majority."
Read Article →New Poll Shows that Flathead County Voters Overwhelmingly Support More Housing Options
Board President Nathan Dugan presents the full results of the Embold Research poll of 615 Flathead County voters, finding overwhelming support for density, mixed-use zoning, and infill development over sprawl.
Read Article →Heart of Whitefish Advocates for Removal of Neighborhood Retail in Growth Policy Chapters
Nathan Dugan and Keegan Siebenaler push back on Heart of Whitefish's attempts to strip neighborhood-serving commercial uses from the growth policy draft.
Read Article →Neighborhood Character Deemed a 'Loaded' Term for Whitefish's Growth Policy
Nathan Dugan cites The Anxious Generation to argue for child-friendly neighborhood design, and Keegan Siebenaler challenges the framing of employer-provided housing as a solution rather than a symptom of systemic failure.
Read Article →2025
Rezoning the Simpler of 'Drastic' Measures Needed to Save Whitefish Housing, Residents Say
Coverage of a growth policy public comment session where Nathan Dugan and other ShelterWF supporters argue that 77% of Whitefish zoning allowing only single-family homes must change.
Read Article →With Growth Policy Deadline Looming, Whitefish Planning Group Aims to Overcome Differences
In-depth feature on the tensions in Whitefish's growth policy process, with ShelterWF Executive Director Keegan Siebenaler and board member Mallory Phillips playing central roles in pushing for density and mixed-use development against planning commission resistance.
Read Article →Advocates Challenge City Report, Call for More Housing Units
ShelterWF releases its Revised Community Housing Needs Assessment, arguing the city's official estimate captures only 23–46% of actual demand. Keegan Siebenaler: "Blocking housing does not create affordability."
Read Article →Housing Needs Assessment Fundamentally Flawed
Executive Director Keegan Siebenaler argues that the city's 2025 Housing Needs Assessment dangerously underestimates demand, finding that Whitefish has been building at the rate the HNA recommends for years — yet prices have only skyrocketed.
Read Article →The 'Montana Miracle' Continues Through Housing Reform Passed in 2025
National policy analysis of Montana's 2023 and 2025 housing reform packages — the legislative victories ShelterWF helped secure — calling them among the most significant zoning reforms in the country.
Read Article →2024
Let's Preserve What Makes the Flathead Special
Co-founder Mallory Phillips calls on Flathead County residents to embrace intentional, dense growth within existing city boundaries to protect the valley's open spaces, rural character, and working families.
Read Article →Shelter WF Housing Design Competition Showcases Fresh Ideas
Feature on the AARP-funded "Design Our Future" competition results, showcasing winning designs for missing middle housing on real Whitefish properties.
Read Article →Shelter WF Hosting Event Focused on Housing Affordability Solutions
Coverage of ShelterWF's AARP-funded "Design Our Future" event featuring missing middle housing designs and a panel discussion on walkability, transportation, and community connectivity.
Read Article →Whitefish Housing Nonprofit Joins Legal Fight to Defend Housing Bills
ShelterWF intervenes as a defendant in the MAID lawsuit challenging Montana's 2023 pro-housing legislation. Nathan Dugan: "We've decided to intervene because we see these bills as fundamental to creating more housing affordability in the state."
Read Article →2023
Shelter WF Holds Informational Meeting on Tenant Rights
ShelterWF hosts a public education event on tenant rights in Montana featuring Whitefish attorney Paul Leisher, drawing one of its best-attended crowds since formation.
Read Article →Multi-Family Development Gets Green Light in Whitefish
ShelterWF co-founder Mallory Phillips speaks in support of a 148-unit apartment project with 44 deed-restricted affordable units under the Legacy Homes Program: "Right now it is only those that are wealthy or privileged or long-time locals like me, that have those choices."
Read Article →2022
Regulatory Reform is Top Priority of Governor's Housing Task Force
Nathan Dugan, serving as one of two Flathead County members on the Governor's Housing Task Force, advocates for directing state surplus toward housing and targeting property tax relief to those who need it.
Read Article →Shelter WF Advocating for Affordable Housing in Whitefish
TV news feature on ShelterWF's founding, featuring co-founder Ellie McMann and board member Leanette Galaz discussing the impossibility of affording to live in the community they serve.
Read Article →Newly Formed Nonprofit Seeks to Confront Whitefish Housing Inequality
The foundational profile of ShelterWF — its origins in the Mountain Gateway fight, the backgrounds of its five founding board members, and the passage of Whitefish's ADU ordinance as the organization's first policy victory.
Read Article →Shelter WF Builds Support to Fight for Housing
Early feature on ShelterWF's formation, including co-founder Ellie McMann's story of growing up in affordable housing in Whitefish and being priced out as an adult, and Nathan Dugan's observation that "there is a war on renters in Whitefish."
Read Article →2021
Montana's Flathead Valley Leaders Look for Answers to Housing 'Crisis'
Pre-ShelterWF founding coverage of the Flathead housing crisis, featuring Nathan Dugan speaking in favor of the Mountain Gateway project at the public forum that would catalyze the organization's creation.
Read Article →Media Inquiries
For press inquiries, interview requests, or media resources, please reach out to our team.
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