Unique Lighting & Home Decor, a women-owned lighting retailer in Butte, Montana, has donated over $7,500 in lighting fixtures, accessories, hardware, and bulbs to the National Affordable Housing Network (NAHN). The contribution, made in December 2025, is the largest in-kind nonprofit donation in the company's history and underscores the role of local businesses in addressing housing affordability challenges.
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue in Montana. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 28.9% of Montana households spent 30% or more of their income on housing and utilities in 2024, meeting the federal definition of cost-burdened households. NAHN works to expand long-term affordable homeownership opportunities, strengthen community housing initiatives, and improve financial literacy for households navigating these pressures.
The donated lighting materials will support NAHN-aligned housing initiatives across Southwest Montana in 2026, helping partner organizations reduce material cost barriers and maximize build budgets. Kellie Gribben, owner and founder of Unique Lighting & Home Decor, expressed her enthusiasm for the donation, stating, "After two decades of working with Affordable Housing, I am so excited to be able to provide this level of contribution to an organization that I wholeheartedly believe in."
Gribben highlighted the broader impact of NAHN's work, noting that their mission ensures housing affordability is not just about lowering upfront costs but about creating sustainable homes and communities. "Their mission impacts entire neighborhoods and the families that live in them. I'm proud to support that momentum for Southwest Montana as these economic pressures continue to challenge households across the area," she added.
Unique Lighting & Home Decor, headquartered in uptown Butte, specializes in lighting fixtures and customized design consultations. The company has a tradition of local community support, and this donation reinforces its commitment to regional nonprofits. For more information about Unique Lighting & Home Decor, visit their website at https://buttelighting.com.
The National Affordable Housing Network, founded in 1994, is a nonprofit based in Butte, Montana, dedicated to advancing affordable, high-performance housing. NAHN supports long-term homeownership through subdivision development, historic building housing initiatives, and financial literacy programs that strengthen community housing stability. The organization also provides technical assistance and educational support to nonprofits and community housing partners throughout the United States, including Southwest Montana.
