Montana would offer nonprofit grants for housing people facing homelessness

The Montana Department of Commerce could award nonprofits up to $75 million in total to buy, build, repair, and equip housing. Housing would serve people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and earn no more than 60% of the area's median income, meaning its midpoint income. Projects would offer long-term rentals and voluntary onsite support services to address chronic homelessness. Nonprofits would have to apply, and grants would depend on available money. Funding would follow the order in which recipients meet the grant conditions.

The state treasurer would move $75 million into the housing grant account. The account would support grants to nonprofit corporations developing this housing. The Montana Department of Commerce could use up to 3% of the account's allocated money to run the program. The proposal specified July 1, 2025, as its effective date and required the transfers within 15 days of that date. It did not become law.

Grant recipients would sign agreements covering project management and reports on grant results. These requirements would apply to projects chosen for housing grants. Recipients would meet other project requirements set by the Montana Department of Commerce. Projects would follow applicable design rules, or generally accepted industry standards if no design rules apply. The department would reduce grants if actual project costs were lower than projected costs. Recipients would have to meet the grant conditions before receiving money.