Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Montana
Montana has 12 housing authorities managing a combined 65 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 50 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 77%. This data was last verified on Apr 15, 2026.
Montana offers various affordable housing assistance programs across the state. There are 12 housing authorities managing a total of 60 waiting lists for different types of housing aid. Currently, 48 of these lists are open, representing an 80% open rate, with 8 lists currently closed. Due to Montana's rural nature, the number of Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) is limited. Instead, Human Resource Development Councils often manage housing assistance programs for most counties. The statewide housing agency overseeing many of these efforts is the Montana Department of Commerce - Housing Division.
Those seeking assistance can find a range of programs. Public Housing programs are particularly accessible, with all 12 of their lists currently open. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has 12 lists, 7 of which are open. Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) show strong availability with 5 out of 6 lists open, as do MOD Rehab programs with all 5 of their lists open. Other available programs include Moderate Rehabilitation, Mainstream, Affordable Rental, and Affordable Housing programs, many of which have open lists. Some specialized options like 62+/Disabled Housing and Legacy Homes Program (LHP) Rental Housing also have open lists. It is important to note that programs like RAD have 3 lists but currently none are open, and Moderate Rehabilitation (MOD Rehab) has 1 list that is not open.
Geographically, certain cities offer more opportunities for applicants. Helena currently leads with 2 housing authorities managing 13 open waiting lists. Other cities with multiple open lists include Billings with 6 open lists, Glendive with 5 open lists, and Butte and Glasgow each with 2 open lists. The status of waiting lists can change frequently, so checking regularly is advisable. For instance, the Montana Department of Commerce in Helena recently changed its HCV list from open to opening_soon, while Richland County Housing Authority in Sidney changed its HCV list from open to closed. Conversely, the Great Falls Housing Authority in Great Falls changed its HCV list from closed to open, demonstrating that new opportunities can arise. Applicants are encouraged to monitor listings for both newly opened lists and changes in status.
The affordable housing programs tracked in Montana include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (7 open), Public Housing (11 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (6 open), RAD, Mainstream (1 open), VASH. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Montana right now are Helena (14), Whitefish (10), Billings (6), Glendive (6), and Missoula (5) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Dawson County Housing Authority — Other (Moderate Rehabilitation Program)
Eligibility Requirements for Montana
To qualify for assistance in Montana, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Montana Department of Commerce - Housing Division.
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Montana legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Montana Department of Commerce - Housing Division to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.