Skip Navigation Links Home » HOME Investment Partnerships Program » FAQs

Montana HOME Program

Frequently Asked Questions

  •  What is the HOME Program?
    • The HOME Program is a Federal program designed to help States and local governments respond to the need for adequate, affordable housing for low- and very low-income individuals and families.
  • What does HOME stand for?
    • HOME is an acronym for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program which was created under Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990.
  • Where does the HOME program get its money?
    • HOME funds are allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by formula. Forty percent of the formula-based funds are divided among the States and the remaining 60 percent are distributed among "participating jurisdictions" that include cities, urban counties and consortia.
  • Does Montana have any "participating jurisdictions" (PJs) other than the Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC)?
    • Montana has three other participating jurisdictions: Great Falls, Billings and Missoula. The PJ's jurisdictional areas include the area within their legally described city limits
  • Who is eligible to apply for HOME funds?
    • Eligible applicants include the following:
      • Local Governments:
        • A local government may apply for HOME funds directly or sponsor an application on behalf of a nonprofit or a for-profit organization. If awarded funds, the Applicant (local government) remains responsible for meeting all HOME requirements, including those related to long-term affordability.
        • Counties may apply to use HOME grant funds for activities proposed to resolve housing problems in the unincorporated jurisdiction of the county. A county may apply for a housing project that will include activities within the jurisdiction of an incorporated city or town if the proposed project is intended to benefit all county residents. A county may apply for a grant to fund a project that would assist two or more separate, unincorporated communities.
        • Municipalities may apply to use HOME grant funds for projects proposed within the jurisdiction of the incorporated city or town. A municipality may apply for a project located outside the city's jurisdiction if it can provide assurances the project area will be annexed within the HOME contract period.
        • Consolidated city-county governments will be considered as two separate jurisdictions: one, the city jurisdiction; and two, the unincorporated jurisdiction of the county. Each may apply separately for HOME funds. The city and county boundaries, as delineated on the date of consolidation, will define the jurisdiction of each.
        • HOME entitlement cities (PJs), currently Billings, Great Falls and Missoula, receive HOME funds directly from HUD, and as such receive and process all HOME applications for projects within the city limits. Entitlement cities are not eligible Applicants for MDOC HOME funds unless a second round of competition is held.
      • Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO)
        • CHDOs are MDOC-certified non-profit organizations that are incorporated under State of Montana law. CHDOs can apply for HOME grant funds to develop, own, or sponsor housing projects within their jurisdiction. CHDOs are also eligible to participate in non-CHDO housing activities. According to HUD regulations, tenant-based rental assistance, homebuyer assistance and single-family/multi-family rehabilitation projects are not considered CHDO-eligible activities. A CHDO applying for competitively-awarded funds to perform a non-CHDO activity remains a CHDO BUT loses its CHDO status for the applicable year of competition and will not receive special consideration for the 15 percent of funds set-aside for CHDOs.
      • Public Housing Authority (PHA)
        • PHAs are eligible Applicants in the Montana HOME Program. PHAs apply as quasi-local governmental entities, and as such, follow the same application requirements as local governments. PHAs may apply for projects inside the jurisdictional area (up to 10 miles outside the city limits) they serve.
  • Can an individual apply directly to the HOME program?
    • No, an individual may not apply directly to the state HOME program. Only local governments, CHDOs and PHAs may apply to the state HOME program. However, individual families are the recipients of all HOME grant funds through the eligible applicants.
  • What type of housing activities can be applied for under the HOME program?
    • Applicants may pursue homeowner opportunities, rental opportunities, or a combination of both.
      • Rental Rehabilitation
      • New Multi-family Construction
      • Single-family Development
      • Acquisition, in conjunction with the above activities (note: land banking is prohibited)
  • What is the HOME Program Single Family Noncompetitive Program?
    • Beginning in 2006, the HOME Program allocates a portion of Montana's HOME funds to homebuyer assistance (HBA) and homeowner rehabilitation (HOR) activities by formula statewide. Rather than competing in the HOME program's annual competitive application process, cities, counties, public housing authorities, and community development housing organizations may access these funds completing a noncompetitive qualification package. For more information on the program and the qualification process, please go to Single Family Noncompetitive Program page.