Housing Trust Fund

Housing Trust Fund Program Established under Title I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the HTF Program is a federal block grant designed to create affordable housing for extremely low-income households. Montana’s HTF funds are allocated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Montana Department of Commerce administers the program and grants these funds to entities for the development and preservation of affordable housing. The HTF complements existing federal, state and local efforts to increase the supply of decent, safe and sanitary affordable housing for extremely low income families, including households with special needs, households experiencing homeless and those at risk of homelessness. HTF Program Eligibility Commonly Used Forms HTF Program Eligibility Eligible Projects HTF funds may be used to develop affordable rental housing through the acquisition, new construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of non-luxury housing with suitable amenities. Activities may include real property acquisition, site improvements, new and conversion. Eligible costs include hard construction expenses, financing costs and temporary relocation expenses of any households, businesses or organizations. Acquisition of vacant land or demolition must be undertaken only with respect to a particular, predefined housing project intended to provide affordable housing within established time frames. Eligible Applicants For-profit and nonprofit owners or developers are eligible to apply for HTF funding, alone or in partnership with another eligible entity. Commonly Used Forms Annual HOME and HTF Rental Certification Calendar Year 2025 Annual Certification for Rental Housing ( Word ): Due Feb. 27, 2026 Calendar Year 2025 Rent and Occupancy Report ( Excel Annual Certification Quick Guide ( PDF Rent Schedule Form ( Excel Property Standards National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate ( PDF Housing Quality Standards Inspection Checklist Form HUD-52580-A (long form) Form HUD-52580 (short form) Uniform Physical Condition Standards Form ( PDF HTF Income and Rent Limits 2026 HTF Income Limits effective June 1, 2026 2026 HTF Rent Limits effective June 1, 2026 Administration Applications