Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by Montana Housing at the Montana Department of Commerce as the state-wide Public Housing Authority. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental subsidies for very low-income families, elderly persons and persons with disabilities, and the opportunity to choose their own rental home within the community of their choice, subject to program requirements. The Moderate Rehabilitation program provides project-based rental assistance for low-income families.
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program
The Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC) received an allocation of 109 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. EHVs will be issued to eligible individuals/families directly referred to MDOC through the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition. Eligible individuals/families are:
- Homeless;
- At risk of homelessness;
- Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or
- Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.
The EHV program is a tenant-based voucher program that operates similar to the Housing Choice Voucher program. Verification of eligibility and referral for program admission will be completed by the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition.
If you believe that you may be eligible for EHV assistance, are interested in applying for an EHV, or have questions regarding EHV eligibility, please contact your current the Coordinated Entry or Continuum of Care Coalition representative in your area.
2021 EHV Payment Standards
2022 EHV Payment Standards
COVID-19 HCV Waivers Adopted
Waiting List
To be placed on the waiting list, interested applicants must complete and submit an application online or by mail. Paper applications can be picked up at a Field Ageny or by requesting an application be mailed. When completing an application, if a family is interested in renting a Moderate Rehabilitation apartment, the family must select that option. Applicants must select only one of the 11 Field Agent areas. Choose the location carefully as only one application will be approved. Only complete applications will be accepted.
- Contact Information: A current mailing address and valid phone number and/or alternative contact number must be provided.
- Waiting List Position: To check position on the waiting list visit: https://www.waitlistcheck.com/
- Changes While on the Waiting List: While on the waiting list if applicants have any changes, a Change Form MUST be completed. Change forms may be submitted electronically, or by requesting one from the Field Agent to be mailed in.
Applicants must select only one of the 11 Field Agent areas listed below. Choose the location carefully as only one application will be approved.
Apply Now Region 1, Action for Eastern Montana
Serving: Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Treasure, Valley, and Wibaux counties.
Apply Now Region 2, Havre
Serving: Blaine, Hill and Liberty counties.
Apply Now Region 4, Lewistown
Serving: Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley and Musselshell counties.
Apply Now Region 5, Billings HRDC
Serving: Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, and Sweet Grass Counties; Yellowstone County, excluding the City of Billings and the area within ten (10) miles from the territorial boundaries of Billings.
Apply Now Region 6, Bozeman
Serving: Gallatin, Park and Meagher counties.
Apply Now Region 7, Kalispell
Serving: Lincoln, Flathead, Lake and Sanders counties.
Apply Now Region 8, Missoula
Serving: Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties.
Apply Now Region 9, Butte
Serving: Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell, and Silver Bow counties.
Apply Now Region 10, Helena
Serving: Broadwater, Jefferson, and Lewis & Clark counties.
Apply Now Region 11, Billings HA
Serving: City limits of Billings and ten miles beyond the City Limits.
Apply Now Region 12, Opp. Inc., Great Falls
Serving: Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, and Toole counties.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher or Moderate Rehabilitation program, applicants must qualify under HUD income limits and other program eligibility criteria. Family income and composition will be re-certified annually while on the program.
Families receiving assistance pay approximately 30 percent of their adjusted gross monthly income for rent and utilities, subject to payment subsidy standards. As a family’s income changes, the portion of the family’s rent share may change.
2020 Voucher Payment Standards
2021 Voucher Payment Standards
2022 Voucher Payment Standards
Income Limits
HUD-published income limits are updated annually. Income limits vary between counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an applicant have to wait to receive assistance?
Montana Housing’s waiting list is organized by date and time of application, based on the Field Agent area selected by the applicant. The estimated time to receive a voucher depends on many factors: the date and time of the application, persons leaving the program, funding availability, and the number of people currently on the waiting list.
Who are the Field Agencies?
Due to geographical limitations, Montana Housing enters into a contractual relationship with non-profit partners throughout Montana to carry out HUD requirements for administering many of the rental assistance programs. These contractors are known as Field Agencies.
For a list of Field Agencies and the counties they serve: List of Field Agencies
How Does the Housing Choice Voucher Program Work?
If a family receives a voucher, they choose their own rental home from available rentals in their community. The family pays approximately 30 percent of their adjusted gross monthly income in rent and the remainder is paid by the Housing Choice Voucher program to the property owner.
Additional Program Information
Administrative Plan
Assistance Connect
Authorization for the Release of Information/Privacy Act Notice
Income Limits
Informal Hearing Procedures
MDOC VAWA Emergency Transfer Plan
Minimum Rent Hardship Waiver
Tenant Information Form (TIF)
Utility Allowances
Voucher Payment Standards 2020
Voucher Payment Standards 2021
VAWA Form-5380
VAWA Form-5382
VAWA Form-5383
Disability Verification
811 Referral Form
Reasonable Accommodation
Disability Status / Right To Reasonable Accommodation
If you have a disability, as outlined under Section 504 of the Americans With Disabilities Act or State or Local Fair Housing Laws, and require an accommodation that would allow you to live and use your apartment or access facilities in a manner equal to that of a non-disabled tenant, you may qualify for a Reasonable Accommodation. For example, if you need:
- A structural change or repair in your apartment, or a special type of apartment
- A change or repair in some other part of the housing development or Housing Authority facilities; or
- A change in our rules, policies, or how we do things (i.e.: how we communicate with you or give you information)
You may request a Reasonable Accommodation from your local Field Agent representative, and they will direct you on how to proceed with the process.
Visit our page on fair housing for more information.
