Section 8 in Montana: Housing Authorities and How to Apply

Section 8 (the Housing Choice Voucher program) is run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). You apply to the agency that serves where you want to live; many keep waiting lists that open only at times. Here are the agencies serving Montana's largest areas, from HUD's official contact list and each agency's site.

Is it illegal for a Montana landlord to refuse Section 8? No. Montana's housing discrimination law covers sex, marital status, race, creed, religion, color, age, familial status, physical or mental disability, and national origin, but not source of income or housing vouchers. Mont. Code Ann. § 49-2-305

Housing authorities in Montana

• Montana Department of Commerce, Housing Division (statewide Housing Choice Voucher program) — Helena
  Housing Choice Voucher, Moderate Rehabilitation (Billings, Great Falls, Missoula only), Emergency Housing Voucher, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, Section 811 Supportive Housing, Project-Based Section 8
  Phone: 406-841-2700 (Montana Relay 711)
  How to apply / waiting list — open — the state says its Housing Choice Voucher and Mod Rehab waiting lists are open; you apply through the waiting list for your region (as of 2026-10-24 per state site)
• HomeFront: Partners for a Better Billings (formerly the Housing Authority of Billings) — Billings, Yellowstone County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, Affordable rentals, 62+ senior and disabled rentals
  Phone: (406) 245-6391
  How to apply / waiting list
• Missoula Housing Authority — Missoula, Missoula County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Project-Based Voucher, Agency-owned affordable housing, Homeless and special-purpose voucher programs
  Phone: (406) 549-4113
  How to apply / waiting list
• Great Falls Housing Authority — Great Falls, Cascade County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, Affordable housing
  Phone: 406.453.4311
  How to apply / waiting list
• Public Housing Authority of Butte — Butte, Silver Bow County
  Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher
  Phone: (406) 782-6461
  How to apply / waiting list
• Helena Housing Authority — Helena, Lewis and Clark County
  Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (local and state), Project-Based Voucher, Affordable housing
  Phone: (406) 442-7970

Source: HUD public housing agency contact list. Check the agency's own site before applying; waiting lists open and close.

Statewide housing agency

Montana Housing (Montana Department of Commerce, Housing Division; Montana Board of Housing) — Runs Montana's statewide Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program through regional waiting lists and local field agencies, plus Emergency Housing Vouchers, VA Supportive Housing, Section 811 supportive housing and project-based Section 8 contracts.

Help paying rent in Montana

• Statewide Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program — Rent help for low-income households renting from private landlords anywhere in Montana. The state is divided into 10 regions; you apply to the waiting list for your region, and local nonprofit field agencies handle the program day to day.

How to apply

1. Find the housing authority for the city or county where you want to live (list above).
2. Check whether its voucher waiting list is open; many open for short windows or use a lottery.
3. Apply only through the agency's official site or office. Applying is free — no one may charge you to get on a list.
4. Keep your contact information current with the agency so you do not lose your place.
5. When a voucher is issued, you find a rental whose rent fits the agency's payment standard and that passes inspection.

Rent levels (HUD Fair Market Rent) and local help by county

• Missoula County
• Yellowstone County
• Gallatin County (Bozeman)

Montana tenant rights · Free legal help in Montana · Section 8 in other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.