Department Of Commerce

Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation Programs

The Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered the Montana Department of Commerce statewide Public Housing Authority. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental subsidies for very low-income families, elderly persons and persons with disabilities, with the opportunity for participants 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.

Waiting List

8/1/2024 UPDATE: The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently closed, effective August 15, 2024, due to decreased funding disbursements from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing Choice Vouchers will not be issued to existing waitlist applicants until the waiting list is reopened or until such time federal funding disbursements allow. Please see Commerce’s public statement released August 1, 2024 for more information on this decision. This statement is available on our website. 

Applicants who are already on the waiting list will retain their place on the list.

This action does not affect the Moderate Rehabilitation program. Previously submitted applications which indicated an interest in Moderate Rehabilitation program units will continue to be processed as those units become available.

  • 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.

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.

2025 Voucher Payment Standards (Effective 01/01/2025) - Success Rate Payment Standards
2024 Voucher Payment Standards (Effective 01/01/2024) - Success Rate Payment Standards and Exception Rate Payment Standards

Income Limits

HUD-published income limits are updated annually. Income limits vary between counties.

Income Limits

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an applicant have to wait to receive assistance?

8/1/2024 UPDATE:  The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently closed, effective August 15, 2024, due to decreased funding disbursements from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing Choice Vouchers will not be issued to existing waitlist applicants until the waiting list is reopened or until such time federal funding disbursements allow. Please see Commerce’s public statement released August 1, 2024 for more information on this decision. This statement is available on our website.

Applicants who are already on the waiting list will retain their place on the list.

This action does not affect the Moderate Rehabilitation program. Previously submitted applications which indicated an interest in Moderate Rehabilitation program units will continue to be processed as those units become available.

Commerce’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, Commerce 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

Assistance Connect
Authorization for the Release of Information/Privacy Act Notice
Informal Hearing Procedures
MDOC VAWA Emergency Transfer Plan
Minimum Rent Hardship Waiver
Tenant Information Form (TIF)
Utility Allowances
VAWA Form-5380
VAWA Form-5382
VAWA Form-5383
Disability Verification
811 Referral Form
Reasonable Accommodation 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.