The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) runs several assistance programs, from emergency rental assistance to housing vouchers.
How much money people get through those programs is determined by what’s called "fair market rent." But that value doesn’t come from Montana.
Michael O’Neil is the Executive Director of the Helena Housing Authority. He said that’s a problem because of how much rental prices have changed.
“Our percentage rental increases are among the highest in the country in recent years,” O’Neil said.
O’Neil said there’s a growing gap between what HUD’s rental vouchers will cover and what rent costs. Vouchers can fall anywhere from $300 to $1,500 short.
To fix that, the Helena Housing Authority, Lewis and Clark County and the state have pooled roughly $100,000 to fund a study into what the local fair market rent should be set at. That data will be submitted to HUD to consider boosting housing assistance in the Helena area.
O’Neil hopes this local study will show the state that it’s worth pursuing across Montana.
“We will lose out on millions of dollars if we don’t correct this,” O’Neil said.
The Helena rental study should be complete by the end of the summer. O’Neil hopes locals on HUD housing programs will see increased assistance early next year.
-
Montana families that rely on federal housing assistance are having a harder time finding places to live. The tight housing market has sent rents climbing, but federal assistance hasn't kept pace. -
The state Board of Housing Wednesday announced nearly $40 million in federal tax benefits to build or rehabilitate affordable homes; The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its biannual season-setting meeting for big game species from elk to bison to mountain lions on December 4; Billings has a new representative in the state Legislature. -
A long-dormant property along the Clark Fork River in Missoula could soon be home to luxury apartments, restaurants, shops, a hotel and rooftop bar. The project’s developer is moving forward after his business partner was criminally charged for wire fraud. -
Most Montana homeowners should see a drop in property taxes after sweeping tax reforms go into effect this year. Renters, however, could see the cost of living rise after lawmakers made a mistake reforming property taxes. -
Low-income Montanans receiving federal housing assistance are having better luck finding rentals. A state study led to an increase in the amount of funding families receive. -
Seniors are one of the fastest growing homeless populations, but most homeless shelters aren’t equipped to help with specialized needs. MTPR's Aaron Bolton visited a shelter for seniors in Utah to see if their model could work in Montana.
