HRDC offers both temporary and long-term rental assistance through the Home to Stay Program and the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program.
Home to Stay
The HRDC’s Home to Stay program is designed to assist families who are currently homeless or who are facing eviction. Home to Stay provides temporary rental assistance for families in crisis.
To be eligible to apply for assistance you must be currently homeless or have received an eviction notice along with recently experiencing a sudden or unexpected drop in income. Proof must also be shown that there is sufficient income for the household to meet rental obligations in the future.
How to Apply for Assistance
To apply for Temporary Rental Assistance you must first have the following information:
• PROOF OF HOUSING STATUS – Confirmation of homelessness or a written eviction notice from your landlord.
• IDENTIFICATION FOR ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS – Picture ID’s for adults and Social Security Cards for children are required.
• DOCUMENTATION OF INCOME – Explanation of your financial situation.
• COMPLETED LANDLORD STATEMENT – click here
• COMPLETED APPLICATION – click here
After you have all the above information gathered, please attend HRDC’s Home to Stay Housing Workshop to determine your household’s eligibility. Housing Workshops are offered:
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 9 am
Bozeman HRDC Office
32 South Tracy Avenue
Wednesdays – 9 am
Livingston HRDC Office
111 South 2nd Street
Section 8 Rental Assistance
The Section 8 Program assists low income, handicapped, elderly, and disabled persons with rental costs, assistance is based on the household’s income.
The Section 8 Program allows families or individuals assistance in renting affordable, safe, and good places to live. Recipients are required to pay a portion of thier income towards rent (roughly 30%). The remainder of the rent is subsidized via the Montana Department of Commerce. Section 8 Rental Assistance is tenant based, meaning the subsidy lies with the tenant and is transferrable per program regulations.
Households may utilize Section 8 Rental Assistance until 30% of thier income exceeds the rent for the unit.
Who Qualifies?
Eligibility is based on household income.
How long is the wait?
The current waiting list is approximately 18 months. Applicants are always encouraged to apply as Section 8 Rental Assistance provides long-term assistance to help households reach financial self-sufficiency. Every effort is made to keep the waiting list as short as possible. Please be sure to keep your address on the waiting list current (click here for address change form) and feel free to check your status on the waiting list here.
What happens when I reach the top of the waiting list?
Applicants are notified in writing and an appointment is made with a Housing Advocate for an orientation and eligibility determination. In some cases, the applicant can apply the voucher to the unit they are currently renting.
How do I apply?
Other Questions & Answers
Click here for the Section 8 web page of the Montana Department of Commerce for access to questions, forms, applications, the Montana Landlord Tenant Act and more.
