Emergency rental assistance in Montana is primarily managed at the regional level through local non-profit organizations and Community Action Agencies, alongside specialized state housing voucher programs. While the pandemic-era state program (MERA) has formally closed after exhausting its federal funds, various local safety nets remain active to prevent evictions and resolve housing crises.
Immediate Emergency and Crisis Assistance
If you are currently facing an eviction notice or experiencing homelessness, your first point of contact should be your local Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) or Community Action Agency. These organizations administer specific local funds:
“Housing First” Emergency Rental Assistance
Montana’s “Housing First” emergency rental assistance program is a specialized crisis intervention initiative designed to provide short-term stability to families and individuals at imminent risk of losing their housing.
Based on a rapid re-housing model, the program’s core philosophy is that individuals are better able to address challenges—such as job loss or a lack of financial management skills—once they have a safe, stable place to live.
Who is eligible for the program?
As this program is reserved for critical housing emergencies, eligibility is strictly limited to households meeting the following criteria:
Housing Situation: Must currently be experiencing homelessness (e.g., living in a vehicle, an emergency shelter, or a place not meant for human habitation) OR have received an official written eviction notice from their landlord.
Financial Hardship: Must demonstrate that the current housing crisis is the direct result of a sudden, unexpected drop in household income (such as an unforeseen medical emergency or sudden job loss). Income limits: Most regional providers restrict this program to households with an income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their county.
How to apply for assistance in Montana
There is no centralized statewide application portal for this specific program; it is administered locally through Regional Human Resource Development Councils (HRDCs). To apply for assistance, you must contact the agency assigned to your county:
- HRDC District IX (Bozeman area)
- HRDC District 7 (Billings area)
- District XI Human Resource Council (Missoula area)
- Action Inc. (Butte area)
- Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana
What to prepare before contacting them
To ensure your application is processed quickly during a crisis, gather the following documents before contacting your local agency:
- A copy of your written lease agreement.
- The official eviction notice or past-due rent notice issued by your landlord.
- Proof of income from the last 30 days (pay stubs, bank statements, or benefit award letters) demonstrating a decrease in income.
- Government-issued photo ID for the primary adult applicant.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program in Montana is a federally funded initiative administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the program is specifically designed to help families and individuals rapidly regain permanent housing stability after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.
Because statewide funds are limited, Montana’s ESG program has historically focused almost entirely on two key areas: homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing.
Homelessness Prevention (Staying in Your Home)
If you currently have a place to live but are at risk of losing it, ESG funds can step in to halt an ongoing eviction process.
Rental arrears: Payment of overdue rent to satisfy an eviction notice issued by the landlord.
Utility assistance: Financial aid to cover overdue utility bills (water, electricity, gas) and prevent service disconnection.
Stabilization services: Ongoing short- or medium-term rental assistance designed to bridge a temporary gap in income.
Rapid Re-housing (Moving into a new home)
If you are currently experiencing literal homelessness—such as sleeping in a vehicle, staying in an emergency shelter, or living outdoors—the ESG program can fund the transition to permanent housing:
Moving costs: Direct coverage of the first month’s rent, the standard security deposit, and utility connection deposits.
Housing search: Assistance in finding affordable housing and negotiating terms with prospective landlords.
Case management: Personalized counseling to help you address the root causes of the crisis and achieve long-term independence.
Strict eligibility requirements
To qualify for ESG financial assistance in Montana, you must meet specific criteria defined by HUD:
Income limit: For homelessness prevention, your total household income generally must be at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your specific county in Montana.
Crisis situation: You must be experiencing literal homelessness or have documented proof (such as a court-ordered eviction) indicating that you will lose your primary residence within 14 days.
Lack of other options: You must demonstrate that your household lacks the financial resources or support networks needed to retain or secure stable housing on your own.
How to apply for assistance and access funds
The State of Montana does not process applications directly from individuals. Instead, the DPHHS distributes ESG funds directly to local non-profit organizations and regional Human Resource Development Councils (HRDCs).
To apply, you must contact the local operator assigned to your region. For example, residents of the Missoula area can apply for assistance through the District XI Human Resource Council, while those in the Helena region typically work with partner organizations such as Good Samaritan Ministries. Funds for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing
Specialized and statewide voucher programs
For individuals requiring urgent housing stability due to extreme vulnerability, the Montana Department of Commerce facilitates specific federal assistance:
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is a tenant-based subsidy designed similarly to the traditional Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. However, it features higher payment standard limits and offers flexible funds to mitigate risks for landlords, thereby helping vulnerable families quickly secure housing in tight markets.
Target population: It serves exclusively households that are literally homeless, at immediate risk of homelessness, actively fleeing situations of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, or individuals who were recently homeless and need ongoing assistance to avoid returning to a crisis situation.
How it works: Generally, participants contribute approximately 30% of their adjusted gross monthly income toward rent, and the program covers the remaining balance.
Access requirements: You cannot apply for an EHV voucher on your own through a housing authority. The Montana Department of Commerce and agencies such as the Missoula Housing Authority must receive direct referrals through the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition or your region’s Coordinated Entry System.
Next steps: Contact Montana 211 to find your local Coordinated Entry representative and determine if you qualify for an EHV assessment.
HUD-VASH Vouchers
The HUD-VASH program (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) combines HUD rental assistance with clinical case management provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Target population: Designed specifically for homeless veterans who require intensive, long-term case management due to complex challenges, such as chronic health issues, mental illness, or physical disabilities.
Program options in Montana: The Housing Division of the Montana Department of Commerce manages two main types:
Tenant-based HUD-VASH: Allows veterans to choose any privately owned apartment or house on the open market, provided the landlord accepts the voucher.
Project-based HUD-VASH: Links rental assistance directly to specific units, such as Freedom’s Path at Fort Harrison, Helena.
The subsidy: Veterans pay about 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remaining balance due to the landlord.
Next steps: Veterans must be actively enrolled in the VA case management program to be eligible for the benefit. Contact the Homeless Veterans Program coordinator at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center (Helena area) or your regional VA clinic to begin the admission process.
Section 811 Supportive Housing
The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance program provides property-specific housing subsidies designed to help low-income adults with disabilities live fully independently in their communities.
Target population: Adults (age 18 or older) with extremely low incomes and a documented disability—such as a developmental disability, a serious physical health condition, or a chronic mental illness—who qualify for community-based long-term care services through a state Medicaid program.
How it works: Unlike traditional tenant-based vouchers, Section 811 subsidies are “project-based,” meaning the subsidy stays with the housing unit. If a tenant moves, they do not take the voucher with them. Tenants pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent.
The supportive component: The Montana Department of Commerce collaborates with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to integrate voluntary healthcare services, employment assistance, and independent living guidance directly into the residential setting.
Next steps: Eligible individuals generally apply through the general Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list, administered by the Montana Department of Commerce or local housing authorities; on the main application, they indicate their eligibility and interest in Section 811 or moderate rehabilitation units.
Long-Term Rental Subsidies
If you are seeking ongoing, long-term housing cost relief to keep your housing affordable, you can apply for the standard Housing Choice Voucher program (known as Section 8).
The subsidy: Generally, eligible households contribute approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the program covers the remainder.
Eligibility: As a general rule, the program is reserved for households with incomes at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Since waiting lists can range from 1 to 4 years, it is highly recommended that you apply as soon as possible through your local public housing authority.
How to find your regional provider
Because these programs are administered regionally, the city or county where you reside determines which agency manages the corresponding funds.
Call 2-1-1: Calling Montana 211 or visiting their website is the fastest way to identify active local funds for rent and utility payments associated with your zip code.
Locate your HRDC: You can consult a directory of local agencies via the HUD Montana Resource Portal to apply for local rapid re-housing funds or ESG funds.
