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Housing Counseling

Housing Counseling is provided to first time homebuyers, those in default of their mortgage, and low-income elderly homeowners that wish to participate in the Reverse Annuity Mortgage Program.  Most of the housing counseling we provide is mediating landlord/tenant disputes.  Action has been a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Certified Housing Counseling Agency since 1992.

Section 8 Rental Assistance 

The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program helps participants pay their rent on a long-term basis.  Once the tenant is approved for the program, they pay approximately 1/3 of their adjusted income for their rent and the state pays the balance.  To apply for the program a pre-application must be completed.  This puts you on a waiting list that takes about 1 year to get to the top.  You can choose where you would like to live but must lease up in the service area where your voucher was issued to receive assistance.  All units are inspected for plumbing and electrical hazards and to ensure the unit is safe and sanitary.  If repairs are required to make the unit meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS), the landlord is requested to make them. The lease starts when the unit passes HQS.

Section 8 Homebuyer Program 

The Section 8 Homeownership Program of the Montana Department of Commerce allows eligible participants in the Section 8 housing choice voucher program, including participants with portable vouchers, the option of purchasing a home with their Section 8 assistance rather than renting.

To be eligible, participants must be employed full time at minimum wage or be receiving Social Security, and have been on Section 8 rental assistance for at least one year. Other requirements also apply, please feel free to contact the Action for Eastern Montana office for more information.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

This is a voluntary program for Section 8 participants who desire to become independent of government assistance.  The FSS Program allows rental assistance, together with public and private resources, to help families achieve economic independence and self sufficiency.  The FSS Program works with participant families through intensive case management to establish their needs, and identify barriers for reaching and maintaining self sufficiency by creating a plan establishing short and long-term goals.  One of the major benefits of this program is that as you earn income, the state establishes an escrow account for you in an amount equal to approximately 5% of your earned income.  This is yours to do what you want with when you graduate successfully from the program.  This program is available in all 17 counties.

 Emergency Services 

This program can help with utility deposits, past due rent and utilities of one month and only on a one-time basis.  There are no income guidelines for this program, however, clients must meet specific criteria governed by federal regulations in order to receive assistance.  Further assistance from the program is dependent on whether the client has made an attempt to pay back any help received or not.  We are always low on funds so therefore, the need must be great before we help, and the client must have exhausted all other resources.  Funds may not always be available.