| Montana Department of Commerce

Applying for Funds

Applications for proposals to develop rental or for sale homes or to rehabilitate rental properties with HOME and HTF funds are due Sept. 15, 2026.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Housing Trust Fund:

Download the Application Guidelines (Word).
Download Appendix B: Certifications for Application (Word).
Please see the Application Toolkit for additional documents.

Download the applicable Pro Forma and Subsidy Review spreadsheet for CDBG-Housing, HOME and HTF applications (Excel).

Applications for proposals to provide homebuyer assistance are accepted on a rolling basis.

Download the Homebuyer Assistance Application Guidelines (PDF) (Word).

Commerce accepts applications for housing development annually, on or about Sept. 15. Funds are awarded to construct, acquire and/or rehabilitate rental properties, or develop new units for homeownership. Awards are to fill financing gaps and may not exceed HUD-determined subsidy limits. Additionally, 5% of HOME investments must be matched. For more information, including an overview of ranking criteria and specific questions and required documents, see the Application Guidelines above.

Applications are evaluated according to ranking criteria and receive points for responses to each criterion. Successful applicants are awarded funds commensurate with demonstrated need, HUD’s subsidy limits and availability of funds. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of funding decisions once they are made, and all applicants are provided an opportunity to meet with Commerce staff to discuss their applications and overall ranking outcomes with the aim of helping applicants identify areas for improvement and opportunities for future success.

Housing Development Projects

Homebuyer Assistance Programs

Commerce accepts applications for homebuyer downpayment assistance programs on a rolling basis. Grants covering a two-year period are awarded to eligible entities seeking to undertake homebuyer activities locally. HOME funds are used to provide subsidy to individual homebuyers and costs associated with administering the homebuyer program. Grantees determine maximum subsidies based on their local housing markets and targeted beneficiaries, and ensure that home purchase prices follow HUD-determined limits. Generally, 5% of HOME investments are matched. For more information, including an overview of required qualifications and specific questions and required documents, see the Application Guidelines above.

Applications are evaluated according to the qualifications of the applicant to implement the program and manage recaptured funds and program income. Successful applicants are awarded grants commensurate with demonstrated need and availability of funds. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of funding decisions once they are made, and all applicants are provided an opportunity to meet with Commerce staff to discuss their applications and overall ranking outcomes with the aim of helping applicants identify areas for improvement and opportunities for future success.

Applicants Proposing to do Rehabilitation Activities

As of April 22, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rule applies to paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including renovation contractors, maintenance workers in multi-family housing, painters and other specialty trades. Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis. Contractors are required to have a certified renovator on board for each job taking place in a home or facility defined by the rule.

There are some differences between the EPA RRP Rule and the HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule. A major difference is that the LSHR requires clearance examinations. All housing receiving federal assistance must still comply with the LSHR. Read more about complying with the LSHR and RRP.

EPA-Authorized Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Courses are offered by the Montana Weatherization Training Center at MSU-Bozeman, the only EPA-accredited training provider in Montana.

Projects involving structures built prior to 1980 are considered to have the potential for lead-based paint, and procedures have been developed to ensure compliance with federal regulations. If structures are being funded by CDBG, HOME or HTF for rehabilitation, the units must be tested for LBP and if positive, the LBP must be removed during rehabilitation or prior to occupancy. CDBG-, HOME- and HTF-assisted units constructed before 1980 must be tested for LBP using HUD Performance Characteristics Sheet Testing and applicable industry standards. All assisted units must be free of LBP prior to occupancy. For many projects, program funds can to be used to assist with the cost of LBP testing and remediation activities.

Grantees are required to document that proposed rehabilitation activities have been assessed for LBP or lead water service lines; that the applicant has the resources to ensure that certified LBP inspectors and contractors are available to accomplish the proposed activities; and that the cost and design of the proposed activity takes LBP removal and remediation into account. Applicants for CDBG, HOME and HTF funding are required to certify that they accept all program requirements, including compliance with all state and federal LBP requirements and regulations.

Among other things the requirements include describing all concerns, deficiencies, compliance issues and relevant regulations related to LBP, evaluating the existence of LBP in any existing facilities and describing all mitigation measures that will be implemented to remediate any LBP.