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CROW AGENCY — This house being built in a small neighborhood on a hill overlooking the town feels like success.

Working on the house are members of the Montana and Hawaii Army National Guard, who will spend the month building or repairing housing units in Crow Agency for the Apsaalooke Nation Housing Authority.

It's part of the U.S. Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training program, which pairs soldiers in need of specialized training with the communities that need a specific service.

In Crow Agency, many residents need a place to live.

"The greatest need it fulfills is the need for housing," said Lanny Real Bird, a board member on the Apsaalooke Nation Housing Authority board.

Real Bird talked about the shortage of habitable structures on the reservation and how some residents are living with three and four generations of family under one roof. Having the National Guard's help to build new structures and to bring attention to the needs of the community has been positive.

"Until people understand there's a housing shortage, nothing will be done about it," he said.