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Coming Soon: Montana Emergency Rental Assistance Program 

The Montana Emergency Rental Assistance program will provide rent and utility assistance to Montanans who have been financially impacted, directly or indirectly, by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Renters will be able to apply directly for rent and utility assistance, and landlords will be able to apply on behalf of renters with the renter’s co-signature and required documentation.

Renters will need to provide income documentation to verify program eligibility. To streamline the application review process, we recommend renters file their 2020 tax return now and have that document available to submit when the program opens for applications.

The program is still being developed, but you can begin preparing for your application using the information below.

For Renters

  1. Check your eligibility. To be eligible for rental or utility assistance:
    • Your household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the area median income. Check the area median income where you live here: https://housing.mt.gov/Portals/218/Shared/RentalHousing/docs/IncomeLimits.pdf
    • You or someone in your household must have experienced income loss, financial hardship, qualified for unemployment benefits, or incurred significant costs due directly or indirectly to COVID-19
    • Be able to show that you are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. For example, if you have received a past due rent notice or eviction notice or if you are experiencing unsafe or unhealthy living conditions.
  1. Gather your application materials, including:
    • Lease Agreement
    • Demonstration of need:
      • A late rent or eviction notice
      • Utility bill, late payment notice or shut off notice
    • Income documentation:
      • 2020 IRS tax return

        OR
      • Documentation of all household member income sources for the most recent two months, which may include:
        • Paystubs for wages earned for the past two months
        • Most recent Social Security or pension award letter
        • TANF statement
        • Unemployment insurance benefit statement
        • Evidence of child support income for the past two months
        • Self-employment 2020- Schedule C or profit and loss statement
        • Documentation of other income for the past two months

For Landlords

  • Gather the W9 for the appropriate rental property where you have notified a renter of a late payment or sent an eviction notice
  • You will need your renter’s signature on the application once you are ready to submit

The program is not yet taking applications, but now is the time to get your materials ready! Watch HOUSING.MT.GOV for updates.


Now Hiring Bikes

We're hiring staff to support Montana's new Emergency Rental Assistance Program...


Montana Affirdable Homes

Federal Eviction Ban Extended for Renters


On January 29, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control extended the temporary ban on residential evictions until March 31, 2021. 

Under the extension, a landlord, owner of a residential property or other person with a legal right to pursue eviction or possessory action, may not evict any covered person from any residential property in the United States. More details here.

Commerce Department Launches Program to Provide Legal Assistance for Montanans Facing Pandemic-Related Evictions

Partnership Continues for Legal Assistance for Montanans Facing Pandemic-Related Evictions 


The Montana Department of Commerce's partnership with the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) that provides civil legal assistance for Montanans facing evictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The Montana Eviction Intervention Project can assist Montanans who are facing an eviction and need legal assistance. For more information visit MONTANALAWHELP.ORG or call 1.800.666.6899.


Foreclosure Moratorium Extended Through June 30

Montana Housing homeowners with a federally backed mortgage loan experiencing financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic may request forbearance on their federally backed mortgage loan, regardless of delinquency status.

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) which provides for the right to request forbearance.

Please review the Montana Housing COVID-19 Response letter for details.

Moratorium Extensions:

  • FHA’s Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium Extended Through June 30, 2021
    The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published Mortgagee Letter (ML 2021-05). This ML announces the extension of the foreclosure and eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021. This guidance is applicable to all FHA Title II single family forward mortgage and Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (reverse) programs, except for those secured by vacant and/or abandoned properties.
  • RD’s Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium Extended Through June 30, 2021
    The Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium announced by USDA, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) on March 19, 2020 is extended until June 30, 2021. The moratorium does not apply in cases where the servicer has documented the property is vacant or abandoned.
  • VA’s Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium Extended Through June 30, 2021
    Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed loans are subject to a moratorium Circular 26-21-05 on foreclosure through June 30, 2021. The moratorium applies to the initiation of foreclosures, and to the completion of foreclosures in process.

Tax Credit Available for Senior Homeowners, Renters, With MT QuickFile 

The Montana Department of Revenue reminds Montanans 62 and older that they may qualify for the Elderly Homeowner/Renter Tax Credit, worth up to $1,000. 

To receive the credit, a senior must have turned at least 62 in 2020; occupied a Montana residence as a renter, owner or lessee for at least six months in 2020; resided in Montana at least nine months in 2020; and have a total income for all household members of $45,000 or less. 

This year, seniors can claim the credit several ways. Those with simple tax situations may qualify to use MT QuickFile, a free online service now in its first full year. Just go to MTRevenue.gov/FilingOptions and complete the short questionnaire.   

Residents who are not required to file any return at all can still claim the credit online at MTRevenue.gov.  

The credit is refundable, so even those who owe no tax at all could still receive the credit. 

Electronic filing is the safest and fastest way to file your return and get your refund as quickly as possible. 

For more information, visit MTRevenue.gov or call (406) 444-6900. 


Montana Housing Partnership Virtual Conference


Registration for the 2021 Housing Partnership Virtual Conference is now open!

The Montana Housing Partnership Conference is a highly anticipated event for housing authorities, community development agencies and affordable housing developers in Montana.

This year’s virtual conference will use the Whova platform, which offers features allowing for ease-of-use and networking among peers and sponsors. It also allows participants the opportunity to return to the platform to view content from sessions they may have missed.

The conference will include more than 20 session opportunities, with topics such as:

  • Renters, Landlords and Eviction Prevention
  • Homeownership Solutions
  • Economic Development Approaches to Housing Affordability
  • High Impact Multi-Family Development: LIHTC and Supportive Housing
  • Messaging, Communications and Funder Relations
  • State and Local Policy

There are two ways to register this year! Registration for an individual is $150, or new this year, you can purchase a $500 organization ticket to cover up to 10 of your staff or Board. With organization tickets, we will be in touch upon your purchase to gather individual information for each attendee in your organization. For information about scholarship opportunities, please contact Katie Biggs.

You won’t want to miss this year’s conference and be sure to register before April 9 to receive special conference swag in the mail.
 

REGISTER HERE!

Join us as a sponsor!   

Events like this are only made possible through the support of dedicated sponsors, and we would love to include you as an event sponsor! Opportunities are filling up quickly, please visit our web page for more information and to sign up. Questions about sponsorships can be directed to Michelle Rogers or call 406.604.4547.

Thank you to our current sponsors!

With special recognition given to our Platinum Sponsor, Wells Fargo! This is the third year in a row that Wells Fargo has supported this conference with the top sponsor level. Your generosity and commitment to bringing this opportunity to learn and network is top notch!


Montana Housing’s Annual Housing Tax Credit Compliance Training | March 30-31

Montana Housing's Annual Compliance Training is right around the corner on March 30-31! This compliance training is for developers and management companies that work with Housing Tax Credit properties. The virtual training will go over all aspects of compliance for the Housing Tax Credit program in Montana.

This year’s trainer will be Steve Rosenblatt of Spectrum Seminars. Steve began his career in affordable housing 43 years ago. He has been offering trainings for U.S. Department of Agriculture since 1986, Housing since 1989. In his career, he has trained over 100,000 people including developers, managers, accountants, investors and state and federal agency staff.


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We want to hear from you!


We want your feedback on Montana's use of Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds and general feedback on the administration of the state's community development programs.

Please take the five minute survey and make sure to respond by Monday, March 15. We appreciate your feedback!


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