Commerce Awards Nearly $5 Million of Grant Funding to Support Emergency Shelters

MRM Unified Campus Project Rendering
  • February 20 2024
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that nearly $5 million of grant funding has been allocated to 10 non-profit organizations to support homeless shelters with new construction, capital improvements and shelter space acquisition for Montanans who are experiencing homelessness. The funding is through Commerce’s Emergency Shelter Facility Grant (ESFG) Program.

“Through these Emergency Shelter Facility grants, we are able to provide vital support to organizations that provide a safe place to stay for those who are currently unhoused,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “Commerce continues to rapidly respond to housing issues across the state by leveraging federal and state funding opportunities to increase the availability and accessibility of affordable housing.”

The ESFG funding was awarded to:

  • The Butte Rescue Mission will receive $750,000 of ESFG funding for the rehabilitation and expansion of its emergency shelter in Butte.
  • The District IX Human Resource Development Council will receive $562,500 of ESFG funding for the new construction of Homeward Point in Bozeman.
  • Family Promise of Gallatin Valley will receive $187,500 of ESFG funding for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Journey Home property in Bozeman.
  • The Montana Rescue Mission will receive $750,000 of ESFG funding for the construction of shelter space as part of its Unified Campus in Billings.
  • Mountain Home Montana will receive $369,183 of ESFG funding for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Mountain Home Hillside property in Missoula.
  • The Poverello Center will receive $228,593 of ESFG funding for capital improvements to the Poverello’s shelter spaces in Missoula.
  • SAFE in the Bitterroot will receive $750,000 of ESFG funding for the expansion of SAFE’s emergency shelter in Hamilton.
  • The Samaritan House will receive $750,000 of ESFG funding for the rehabilitation of its Building Stability property in Kalispell.
  • YWCA Missoula will receive $91,136 of ESFG funding for the rehabilitation of the Missoula Family Housing Center.
Good Samaritan Ministries has conditionally received $559,738 of ESFG funding subject to securing a new shelter location in Helena. This tentative award is conditioned on Good Samaritan providing Commerce a viable proposal that complies with ESFG program requirements by May 1, 2024. At that time, Commerce will reassess Good Samaritan’s proposal to determine whether to make an actual award.

The ESFG Program is a one-time funding opportunity authorized by House Bill 5 in the 2023 Legislative Session.

For more information about all of Commerce’s housing programs, visit housing.mt.gov.

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