Address & Phone
214 Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
406.752.6565
Primary Contact
Sara Briggs
[email protected]
www.capnm.net
Services
Homebuyer Education
Homebuyer Counseling
Financial Literacy Education
Financial Coaching
Rental Education
Counties
Flathead
Lake
Sanders
Lincoln
Organization Description
Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana (CAPNM) was founded in 1976 as Northwest Montana Human Resources, Inc. with the overall mission: “to provide services and advocacy to improve lives and strengthen our communities.” CAPNM is a private, non-profit organization with the unique ability to pursue federal, state, private, and local funding sources. This allows the flexibility to focus efforts and maximize resources to benefit the changing needs in the community.
CAPNM is community-based, focusing its efforts on community partnerships that promote individual, family, and community self-sufficiency. The agency continues to target hard to serve individuals by focusing on networking available resources and services in order to promote long-term independence for the individuals served. CAPNM addresses housing, financial, medical, vocational, and educational needs of individuals in the communities that we serve.
CAPNM serves a large geographic area of 13,375 square miles with a total population of over 148,000. Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, and Sanders are rural counties with limited employment opportunities and low wages. CAPNM is the largest organization in the four county area, providing a wide variety of services to promote self-sufficiency and independence, which allows maximization of resources to benefit more individuals.
Homebuyer Education Classes
Understanding the scope and value of home inspections. Working with a real estate agent who really grasps your needs and price range. Choosing a lender and understanding loan products and terms CAPNM offers its Homebuyer Education class once per month in Kalispell and three times per year in Libby. The purpose of the class is to teach potential homeowners about the process of purchasing a home.
Classes are 8 hours over the course of one day – see capnm.net/homebuyer-education for the most current details about course dates, times, and locations.
This is a great program for both new and experienced home buyers and provides a good opportunity to become a more educated home buyer and homeowner.
The class is taught by certified homeownership educators and other professionals from the community who provide presentations on a range of homeownership topics including:
- Evaluating your credit and using credit wisely
- Budgeting for your household and determining affordability
- Choosing insurance policies
- Understanding the title insurance and closing process
- Maintaining your home so it continues to be an appreciating asset
- Registration and Payment
Classes are open until filled, on a first-come first-served basis. Register by contacting [email protected] by the Wednesday prior to the class taking place.
Class Fee: $75 per household; however, partial scholarships are available by contacting Sara Briggs.
If you have special needs such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act please let us know and we can make accommodations for you.
Note: Our classroom is not suitable for children. Please make childcare arrangements.
Upcoming KALISPELL Classes
Time: 8:30 AM to 6 PM
Location: 214 Main Street, Kalispell
- October 19, 2024
- November 9, 2024
- December 2024 – NO CLASS
- January 2025 – NO CLASS
- February 8, 2025
- March 8, 2025
- April 12, 2025
- May 3, 2025
- June 21, 2025
- July 12, 2025
- August 9, 2025
- September 13, 2025
- October 25, 2025
- November 15, 2025
- December 2025, NO CLASS
Upcoming LIBBY Classes
Time: 8:30 AM to 6 PM
Location: 933 Farm to Market Road, Libby
- May 17, 2025
Budget 101
The goal of Budget 101 is a financial skill-building workshop to provide information and support to help strengthen and improve individual’s and family’s financial knowledge and decision-making skills, so they can achieve financial freedom.
This is a great program for anyone looking to become more educated about personal financial management.
The class is taught by certified financial counselors and other professionals from the community on a range of topics including:
- Creating a Spending Plan that works
- Saving for future goals
- Evaluating your credit, rebuilding credit, and using credit wisely
- Avoiding pitfalls and consumer traps
Workshop Registration:
To register, please contact Sara Briggs at (406) 752-6565 or [email protected].
Visit capnm.net/financial-skill-building for the most current details about course dates, times, and locations.
Class Fee: There is no fee for this class. Class materials are provided.
If you have special needs such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act please let us know and we can make accommodations for you.
Upcoming Class Schedule
Dates to be determined.
Renting Wise Workshop
The purpose of the Renting Wise Workshop is to help renters get into and maintain decent and affordable housing. This is a great program for renters who are struggling to find housing due to blemishes in their past rental history.
It is a great opportunity to become a more educated tenant. With the Renting Wise Workshop, a range of rental-related topics will be covered, including:
- Repairing Your Credit
- Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities
- Getting Your Security Deposit Back
- Effectively Communicating
- Keeping a Safe and Healthy Home
- Encouraging Landlords to Give You a Second Chance
Workshop Registration:
**PLEASE NOTE: All classes are held in Kalispell.**
To register, please contact Sara Briggs at (406) 752-6565 or [email protected].
Class Fee: There is no fee for this class. Class materials are provided.
Visit capnm.net/renting-wise for the most current details about course dates, times, and locations.
If you have special needs such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act please let us know and we can make accommodations for you.
Upcoming Class Schedule
Dates to be determined
You have two options for online homebuyer education: eHome America or Framework. While online education cannot replace the experience of an in-person class, both eHome America and Framework classes provide a comprehensive education on the homebuying journey.
In order to receive your homebuyer education class certificate of completion, you will need to complete a one-on-one appointment with one of our HUD-certified housing counselors. This appointment can be done in person or over the phone and can generally be made to fit your schedule.
The content and topics are the same for both classes, but the delivery styles differ slightly. Feel free to choose the class that suits your learning style best. Both classes are HUD- certified, and both have adopted NeighborWorks America’s National Industry Standards.
eHome is “more like an electronic textbook”, said one user. eHome has short videos that introduce concepts followed by text that further expand those concepts.
Class Costs $99
Framework is more like a storybook, following the homebuying journey of a prospective first-time homebuyer. Content is very interactive.
Class Costs $75
If you still need advice on which course to take your lender may have a recommendation based on the loan products you are considering, or you may contact your local housing counselor for their perspective. Click HERE to find a counselor in your area.
Once you’ve registered and completed the course you will receive an email from Naomi Valentine at NeighborWorks Montana putting you in touch with the housing counselor in your area to complete your one-on-one counseling session.
Questions? – contact Naomi Valentine at (406) 604-4558 or by email at [email protected].