Create Montana emergency solutions grant for rapid re-housing

****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 843.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 843
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 843
2 INTRODUCED BY S. HOWELL
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO BE USED FOR THE RAPID
5 REHOUSING OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS;
6 PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10 NEW SECTION. Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of [this act] is to provide state funds to
11 supplement federal funds received from the emergency solutions grant program for the rapid rehousing of
12 individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
13
14 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Eligible use of funds -- distribution. (1) Funds appropriated to the
15 department of public health and human services in [section 3] may only be used for the purposes of the rapid
16 rehousing assistance component provided in 24 CFR 576.104 of the federal emergency solutions grant
17 program and this section.
18 (2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), funds appropriated in [section 3] must be
19 distributed in the same manner as funds currently awarded and distributed for the same purpose under the
20 emergency solutions grant program provided for in 24 CFR, part 576.
21 (b) Funds may be used for rental assistance:
22 (i) at a rate of up to 150% of the fair market rent as determined in 24 CFR 888.113 by the federal
23 department of housing and urban development; and
24 (ii) for program participants who have an annual income below 80% of the area median income as
25 determined by the federal department of housing and urban development.
26 (3) The entirety of the funds appropriated each fiscal year pursuant to [section 3] must be
27 distributed by the last day of the respective fiscal year.
28
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 843.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 843
1 NEW SECTION. Section 3. Appropriation. For the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, there is
2 appropriated from the general fund to the department of public health and human services the following
3 amounts to be distributed as provided in [section 2] for the purposes described in [sections 1 and 2]:
4 Fiscal year 2025 $1 million
5 Fiscal year 2026 $1 million
6
7 NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.
8 - END -