Martin Kidston(Missoula Current) A small pot of federal funding enabled the City of Missoula and its housing partners to preserve several units of affordable housing and rehabilitate a number of owner-occupied homes over the past year, according to a recent report. Members of the city's grant's department on Monday said the funds, including $350,000 in HOME funds and $534,000 in grants, remain valuable tools in addressing affordability and keeping people housed. Kendra Lisum and Lisa Bower, both grant administrators with the city, said this year's batch of HOME funding went toward the rehabilitation of 12 rental units at Fireweed and 161 rental units at Creekside apartments. Karissa Trujillo, executive director of Homeword, said the funding remains vital to the organization's mission. “It helps use keep those rents affordable.”