Housing Assistance for Single Mothers in Montana

Where to start

Montana housing help is split among state offices, HRDCs, housing authorities, tribal offices, shelters, and nonprofits. Choose the path that matches your problem.

For help with food, child care, transportation, or cash needs while you work on housing, start with the Montana emergency guide. A housing office may not be able to cover those other costs.

Quick reference: who to contact

Emergency rent, shelter, and rapid rehousing

Montana’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) supports local agencies that serve people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The official Montana ESG page lists shelter, street outreach, homelessness prevention, and rapid rehousing as program parts. A family does not apply to one statewide grant portal. Screening happens through participating local providers.

The state’s ESG provider list names agencies by county. A provider may check your housing status, income, lease or notice, and whether the requested cost is allowed.

Local help may cover rent, a deposit, certain utilities, housing search, case management, or moving costs. Services and funds vary.

The national rent and eviction guide explains how emergency rental help differs from a long-term voucher.

Section 8, vouchers, and project-based help

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program helps eligible low-income families rent a qualifying home in the private market. Montana Commerce says participating families generally pay about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities. The subsidy pays the approved balance up to program limits.

As of July 14, 2026, Montana’s HCV and Moderate Rehabilitation waitlists are open. Before applying, use the region map on the official voucher page. Applicants select one of ten HCV regions. Commerce also provides separate Moderate Rehabilitation lists for Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula.

Moderate Rehabilitation assistance is tied to a specific building. You can receive the lower rent while living in that property, but the assistance normally stays with the unit if you move. Commerce says it may be faster than HCV in places where a participating property is available, but there is no promised wait time.

A local Commerce field agency can explain its counties, paper options, accommodations, and updates. Keep your address, phone, email, and household details current. Missed mail can cost your list place.

Income limits vary by county. List placement is only a first review; final eligibility is checked later. ASMOM’s Section 8 guide explains vouchers and waitlists.

How to search for affordable rentals

Do not depend on one waitlist. Apply to suitable property lists and record each date, contact, and next step.

• Montana rental search: The Commerce rental search page connects to a free statewide listing service with market-rate, affordable, accessible, senior, and veteran options.
• Project-based Section 8: The official property list is arranged by county. Apply directly to each property and ask whether its waitlist is open.
• Public housing: The HUD Montana page links to public housing agencies and tribal housing contacts. Local authorities may run their own properties and waiting lists.
• Rural rentals: The USDA rental search lists subsidized rural properties by Montana county.

When calling a property, ask about the bedroom size, current rent, deposit, utility costs, income limit, voucher policy, accessibility, application fee, and waiting-list status. Never send money before confirming the property and application are real.

Tribal housing and disability-related help

If you live on or near tribal land, contact your tribe or Tribally Designated Housing Entity. Tribal rental, repair, and homeownership programs have their own rules and waitlists.

For heating help, Montana DPHHS lists both local and tribal energy offices. The right office depends on where you live and which program serves your household.

A person with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the voucher application or tenancy process. This can include a different way to communicate, help accessing the process, or a change to a policy when needed because of a disability. Ask the field agency what form or proof it needs. ASMOM’s disability help guide covers other support paths for parents and children.

Heat, furnace, and weatherization help

Montana’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) pays part of winter energy costs for eligible renters and homeowners. The Montana energy page also explains furnace emergencies and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

The 2025-2026 LIHEAP heating season ended April 30, 2026. The regular program runs from October 1 through April 30 each year. Income and resource limits are updated for each program year, so do not rely on last season’s numbers when the next application opens. Weatherization may be requested all year.

Contact the local eligibility office before the next season if you need the application or want to know which papers will be required. If you cannot wait for regular LIHEAP, ask your utility about a payment plan and contact Energy Share of Montana through the local HRDC. Help depends on available funds and household need.

ASMOM’s Montana utility guide and national LIHEAP help guide cover shutoff notices, seasonal rules, and other bill-help paths.

If you own your home

Montana’s Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is near its end. The official Montana HAF page says mortgage reinstatement and lien-prevention applications remain open through July 31, 2026, at 5 p.m., subject to eligibility and available funds. The utility part stopped taking applications on March 31, 2026.

HAF requires a qualifying primary home, a pandemic-related hardship after January 21, 2020, and household income at or below 100% of Area Median Income. Applying does not stop foreclosure by itself.

Contact your mortgage servicer now and ask for its loss-mitigation application. You may also use HUD’s housing counselor search for mortgage-default or foreclosure counseling. If HAF closes before you apply, keep working with the servicer, counselor, and legal aid. Do not pay a company that promises to stop foreclosure or asks you to sign over the deed.

Eviction, unsafe housing, and fair housing

If you have court papers, note the service date. Forms are not a substitute for advice about your case. Use the MLSA legal application or call 1-800-666-6899 during the listed hours.

Ask legal aid about eviction, lockouts, landlord shutoffs, repairs, deposits, or retaliation. Keep your lease, notices, receipts, photos, messages, and court papers. ASMOM’s Montana legal guide lists more help.

Federal and Montana fair housing rules protect people from certain types of housing discrimination. Family status and disability are protected under federal law. Montana law may cover additional traits. The state’s fair housing page lists complaint contacts, including HUD, Montana Fair Housing, and the Montana Human Rights Bureau.

Housing programs must also follow the Violence Against Women Act when it applies. A voucher holder or assisted tenant facing abuse may be able to ask about an emergency transfer or other protections. Speak with an advocate or legal aid office before making a move that may affect your housing or safety.

Documents to gather

Do not wait until every paper is ready before asking for urgent help. Still, a complete file can prevent delays. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you organize copies.