DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

The Montana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) program will no longer accept applications, including continued assistance applications, beginning at 11:59 p.m. on March 24, 2023.

 

This closure will allow the MERA program to process existing applications. The MERA program is working through already submitted applications as quickly as possible. Tenants and landlords with submitted or in-progress applications should monitor their emails for status updates.

 

The Montana Housing Division encourages current MERA recipients to make a plan for their future assistance needs, as MERA will no longer be available once funds are fully expended.

 

MERA assistance is not guaranteed and applications are being processed in the order submitted. Individuals experiencing an eminent risk for eviction can contact the Montana Legal Services Association.

 

For applications submitted on or before March 24, 2023, eligible households may receive assistance per program guidelines for:

  • Past due and future rent
  • Past due and future utility bills for home energy costs
  • Past due and future internet service
  • Past due rent late fees (reasonable late fees as supported by lease agreement or landlord verification)
  • Unpaid rental security deposit
  • Rental application and screening fees

 

For more information, visit HOUSING.MT.GOV.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

MONTANA HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND

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 will include $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.

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View Homeowner Assistance Fund Plan

We recommend homeowners follow our Facebook page and 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.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund serves Montanans whose gross household income does not exceed 150% 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. Households can search eligibility by 100% of Area Median Income or 150% of Area Median Income. 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.

The Montana Homeowner Assistance Fund may be used for the following:

  1. Mortgage Reinstatement: Financial assistance, in the form of an intrest-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
  2. 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 homeowner at imminent risk of displacement
  3. Utilities/Internet: Electric, gas, home energy, and internet/broadband assistance

 

Please see Sample Terms Sheet for further details on each of the above programs.

Prior to starting an application, Montana Homeowners can take several actions to prepare,  including:

  1. Contact your mortgage servicer and determine whether there are other loss mitigation options available to you, based on the investor / insurer of your loan. Resource: CFPB website
  2. Connect with a HUD-approved housing counselor. Resource: HUD-approved housing counselor and/or Montana Homeowner Housing Counseling Network
  3. Be prepared to gather documentation that will be needed for a future HAF application such as:
    • Current income verification
    • Documentation from Mortgage Servicer verifying that loss mitigation options have been pursued
    • Most recent mortgage statement
    • Deed of Trust for primary residence
    • Utility and/or internet shut-off or late notice

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 is 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, 2021 Commission meeting, and time was allotted during the September 14, 2021 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. Treasury formally approved the Montana HAF Plan on January 18, 2022.

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.

HB 523 (PDF)

Emergency Rental Assistance Report