Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund
For the Homeowner Assistance Fund program
The American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress and signed by the president contains $9.961 billion nationwide for a Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). That funding will help Montana homeowners, and homeowners across the country, remain in their homes.
The Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund includes $50 million in federal funding allocated by Congress to the State of Montana through the American Rescue Plan Act, and appropriated to the Department of Commerce through the passage of HB 632.
View Montana's Homeowner Assistance Fund Plan
We recommend homeowners follow our Facebook page, visit HOUSING.MT.GOV for current information about housing assistance, and to subscribe to receive email updates from the Department of Commerce about future public hearings, community engagement opportunities, and updates regarding the status of the Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund.
You can also listen to this brief radio interview of Montana Housing Division Administrator Cheryl Cohen by Mountain Broadcasting’s Sheila Callahan to learn more about HAF.
Eligibility Requirements
The Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund serves Montanans whose gross household income does not exceed 150% of the Area Median Income for Mortgage Reinstatement, Lien Prevention, and Utilities/Internet. For Home Repairs, the gross household income cannot exceed 50% of the Area Median Income. Additionally, 60% of funds available must target Montanans whose gross household income does not exceed 100% of the Area Median Income.
Use the tool below to type in the county where you live and the number of people living in your household to check eligible income limits. Availability of funds for households whose income exceeds 100% of Area Median Income, but is less than 150% of Area Median Income, will be subject to the 60% of funds target federal requirement.
Funds will be available to a homeowner with respect to qualified expenses and hardship related to the homeowner’s primary residence. Eligible homeowners must have experienced a Financial Hardship after January 21, 2020. A Financial Hardship means a material reduction in income or material increase in living expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that has created, or increased, a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services, or displacement for a homeowner. Sample COVID Impact Questionnaire (treasury.gov)
The Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund may be used for the following:
- Mortgage Reinstatement: Financial assistance, in the form of an interest-free loan, to bring a mortgage account current with no remaining delinquent amounts, including payments under a forbearance plan, and to repay amounts advanced by the lender or servicer on the Borrower’s behalf for property charges
- Lien Prevention: Financial assistance, in the form of a grant, to prevent property tax foreclosure or remove or prevent creation of other liens (HOA, COA, etc.) that would place the homeowner at imminent risk of displacement
- Utilities/Internet: Electric, gas, home energy costs, and internet/broadband assistance
- Home Repairs: Financial assistance, in the form of a grant, to assist homeowners in repairing or renovating health and safety risks within their home that may cause displacement such as trip/slip hazards, insurability repairs, accessibility and visit-ability, and other repairs that pose a hardship to homeowners. Luxury items are not allowed.
Please see Term Sheet for further details on each of the above programs.
Prior to starting an application, Montana homeowners can take several actions to prepare, including:
- Contact your mortgage servicer and determine whether there are other loss mitigation options available to you, based on the investor / insurer of your loan (Mortgage Reinstatement). Resource: CFPB website
- Connect with a HUD-approved housing counselor.
- Gather documentation that will be needed for your HAF application such as:
- Current income verification (All programs)
- Documentation from Mortgage Servicer verifying that loss mitigation options have been pursued (Mortgage Reinstatement)
- Most recent mortgage statement (Mortgage Reinstatement)
- Proof of residency (see specific program requirements)
- Utility and/or internet shut-off or late notice, if applicable
Program Background
The purpose of the Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund, in accordance with federal legislation and U.S. Treasury guidance, is to mitigate financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
U.S. Treasury required states to complete and submit a Homeowner Assistance Fund Plan for their review and approval before the full federal funding could be released to support the launch of a statewide Homeowner Assistance Fund program. This plan is required to include a data-driven assessment of homeowner needs and evidence of public participation and community engagement to inform program design.
Montana Housing published and released a draft of the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Plan for a 30-day public comment period starting August 12, 2021 through September 12, 2021. Members of the public, including but not limited to, homeowners, mortgage servicers, and housing counseling and foreclosure prevention experts, were provided an opportunity to comment on any aspect of the HAF Plan draft.
In-person public comment opportunities on the proposed plan were also provided during the September 8 Commission meeting, and time was allotted during the September 14 Montana Board of Housing meeting, in accordance with state open meeting law requirements.
Following the close of public comment, the Montana HAF Plan was finalized and submitted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury on September 28, 2021. As has been the experience with most other states, Treasury provided Montana Housing with a list of follow-up questions in mid-November and requested responses within 30-days. Montana Housing submitted the requested information on December 14, 2021. On January 5, 2022, Montana Housing had a call with Treasury to answer follow-up questions, and on January 18, 2022, received approval from Treasury.
Reports
Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund program publications are being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number HAF0008 awarded to State of Montana by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
