What Subsidized Housing Programs Exist in Montana

Montana has three main paths to subsidized housing: the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, public housing owned and operated by local housing authorities, and Montana-specific rental information programs run through the Department of Housing. Section 8 is the largest program statewide and works the same way in Montana as it does everywhere else — you pay 30 percent of your income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to a limit set by the county. Public housing is owned directly by housing authorities in cities like Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Helena, and you pay the same 30 percent formula. Montana's rental information programs, including the Montana Rental information Program (MRAP), are designed for people who do not yet have a voucher and need help with current rent or arrears.

Each program has different income limits, wait times, and what they cover. Section 8 and public housing are permanent programs — once you are in, you stay until your income rises above the limit or you move out. Rental information programs are temporary and usually run until funding runs out, then reopen when the state gets new money. Understanding which program fits your situation depends on your current income, whether you have a lease, and how quickly you need help.

Key Takeaways

  • Montana's Section 8 program is administered by local housing authorities in each county, and wait lists are typically closed or very long in urban areas like Missoula and Billings.
  • Public housing in Montana is owned by housing authorities in major cities and follows the same 30 percent income-based rent formula as Section 8.
  • Montana Rental information Program (MRAP) covers current rent and arrears for households below 80 percent of area median income, but funding is limited and programs close when money runs out.
  • Income limits vary by county and household size; a single person in Gallatin County may have a different limit than a single person in Ravalli County.
  • You will need proof of income, a signed lease or landlord contact information, and documentation of your household composition to move forward with any program.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Montana

Section 8 in Montana is run by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in each county. The largest authorities are in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, and Bozeman. When you hold a Section 8 voucher, you find your own rental unit on the private market, and the voucher pays the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for that unit. The landlord must accept the voucher and sign a lease with you.

Income limits for Section 8 in Montana range from about $24,000 to $32,000 per year for a single person, depending on the county. A family of four might have a limit between $38,000 and $51,000. These numbers change annually. Most Section 8 wait lists in Montana are closed, meaning the housing authority is not taking new applications. Missoula, Billings, and Helena have closed lists. Some smaller counties like Powder River or Treasure County may have shorter waits or open lists, but you must live or work in that county to explore. Contact your local housing authority directly to ask whether the list is open and how long the wait is if it is.

Once you receive a voucher, you have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a unit. The landlord must pass a housing quality inspection, and you must sign a lease. After that, you stay on the program as long as your income stays below the limit and you follow the lease and program rules.

Public Housing Owned by Montana Housing Authorities

Public housing is different from Section 8 because the housing authority owns the building itself. In Montana, public housing exists in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Butte, and a few smaller communities. You explore directly to the housing authority that owns the building where you want to live. Like Section 8, you pay 30 percent of your income as rent, and the program covers the rest. Income limits are the same as Section 8 in that county.

Public housing wait lists are also typically long or closed in larger cities. The advantage of public housing is that you do not have to search for a landlord willing to accept the program — the unit is already available and inspected. The disadvantage is that you have less choice about location and unit type, and you must follow housing authority rules about occupancy, maintenance, and guest policies. Some public housing communities in Montana have waiting lists of one to three years.

Montana Rental information Program (MRAP) and Emergency Help

Montana Rental information Program (MRAP) is a state-funded program that pays rent directly to landlords for households below 80 percent of area median income. Unlike Section 8, MRAP is temporary — it covers a set number of months of rent (usually three to twelve months depending on funding) and then ends. You do not stay on the program indefinitely. MRAP covers current rent and rent arrears (money you already owe), and it can help you avoid eviction if you explore before the court date or shortly after.

To use MRAP, you must have a signed lease or a landlord willing to work with you. The program pays the landlord directly. Income limits are higher than Section 8 — a single person might may have access to up to $35,000 or $40,000 per year, depending on the county and current funding. You will need proof of income, a lease, and proof of hardship (a notice to vacate, an eviction filing, or documentation that you fell behind on rent). MRAP funding opens and closes throughout the year. When money runs out, the program closes to new applications until the next funding cycle. Call your county or city housing office or dial 211 to find out whether MRAP is currently open in your area.

Income Limits and Household Composition Rules

Montana uses federal income limits for Section 8 and public housing, adjusted for each county. The limits are based on 50 percent and 80 percent of area median income (AMI). Most programs use the 50 percent limit, which is lower. A single person in Flathead County might have a limit of $26,400 per year, while a single person in Powder River County might have a limit of $24,000. Household size matters: each additional person raises the limit. A family of four in Missoula County might have a limit around $42,000, while a family of four in a rural county might have a limit around $38,000.

Household composition is determined by who lives with you and who depends on your income. A spouse, children, and dependents count. Live-in caregivers and foster children may count depending on the program. Unrelated roommates do not count as part of your household for income purposes, but they may affect your rent calculation. If you are unsure whether someone in your home counts, ask the housing authority — the answer determines your income limit and your rent payment.

Income includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability benefits, unemployment, child support, and alimony. It does not include food stamps, Medicaid, or most one-time payments. If your income is seasonal or variable, the program averages it over the past 12 months. Deductions for child care, medical expenses, and disability-related costs may lower your countable income.

Documents You Will Need and how the process works

Every Montana subsidized housing program requires the same core documents: proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from Social Security), proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), and proof of household composition (birth certificates for children, marriage certificate if applicable). If you are explore for rental information, you also need a signed lease or a letter from your landlord confirming the address and monthly rent. If you have an eviction notice or are behind on rent, bring those documents too — they help, not hurt.

To explore for Section 8 or public housing, contact the housing authority in your county. You can find the authority's phone number and office address on the Montana Department of Housing website or by calling 211. Some authorities accept applications in person only; others accept mail or online applications. Ask whether the wait list is open before you go. To explore for MRAP, contact your county or city housing office, or call 211 and ask for rental information. They will tell you whether the program is currently open and where to submit your process. Processing time for rental information is usually two to four weeks if the program is open and you have all documents ready.

What Disqualifies You and What Does Not

Criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from Section 8 or public housing in Montana. Housing authorities can deny you for certain crimes (violent felonies, drug manufacturing, sex offenses), but they must consider the nature of the crime, how long ago it happened, and your rehabilitation. A conviction from 15 years ago is treated differently than one from last year. If you have a criminal record, ask the housing authority directly whether it will bar you — do not assume.

Eviction history does not disqualify you either. If you were evicted in the past, you can still explore. Some programs prefer to see at least one year between the eviction and your process, but it is not a hard rule. An active eviction case (one currently in court) does not disqualify you; in fact, some rental information programs prioritize people with active cases because they can pay the landlord and stop the case.

What does disqualify you: income above the program limit, not being a U.S. citizen or may have access to immigrant, owing money to a previous housing authority, or having been terminated from a housing program for serious lease violations. If you are not a citizen, you may still be may be able to access if you are a may have access to immigrant (lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or certain other statuses). Ask the housing authority about your specific immigration status.

Wait Times and What to Expect

Section 8 wait times in Montana vary dramatically by location. Billings, Missoula, and Helena have closed lists or waits of three to five years. Smaller cities like Dillon, Livingston, or Sidney may have shorter waits or open lists. Rural counties may have no wait at all. Call your local housing authority to ask the current wait time — it changes as people move off the program or funding increases.

Public housing wait times are similar. In Billings and Missoula, expect one to three years. In smaller communities, the wait may be shorter or the list may be open. Rental information programs move faster — if the program is open and you have your documents, you may hear back in two to four weeks. But rental information is not permanent, so you should also explore for Section 8 or public housing while you are using rental information, because those programs will help you long-term.

While you are waiting, stay in contact with the housing authority. Some authorities remove people from the list if they do not respond to mail or phone calls. If your address or phone number changes, update it when ready. If the list reopens, you may be able to reapply sooner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Section 8 in multiple counties in Montana?

No. You explore to the housing authority in the county where you live or work. If you move to a different county, you must explore to that county's authority. Some authorities will transfer your process if you move within Montana, but you must ask. Do not explore to multiple authorities at the same time — it can disqualify you.

What if I have a disability or need a reasonable accommodation?

All Montana housing authorities must provide reasonable accommodations under the Fair Housing Act. If you need an accessible unit, a service animal, or a modified lease, tell the housing authority when you explore. They cannot charge extra for accommodations, and they cannot deny you because of your disability. Put your request in writing and keep a copy.

Do I have to move out if my income goes above the limit?

Not when ready. If you are in Section 8 or public housing and your income rises above the limit, you usually have a grace period (often one year) before you must leave. During that time, your rent may increase. After the grace period, you must move out or the program ends. Rental information programs end after a set number of months regardless of income, so income growth does not extend your help.

Can I use Section 8 or rental information if I am homeless right now?

Yes, but it is harder. For Section 8, you need a mailing address to receive your voucher and a signed lease to use it. If you are homeless, work with a homeless services provider or shelter to get mail delivered there, then explore. For rental information, you need a lease or a landlord willing to sign one. Some programs will help you find a unit first, then explore for information. Call 211 or your local homeless services coordinator to find out what help is available in your area while you work toward housing.

What happens if my landlord will not accept Section 8 or rental information?

It is illegal for a landlord to refuse Section 8 in Montana. If a landlord refuses, you can file a complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For rental information, some programs will pay you directly if the landlord refuses, though they usually require written proof of the refusal first. Ask the program what their policy is before you approach your landlord.