Low-income individuals and families should understand how to apply for Section 8 housing in Montana to be afforded the opportunity to rent economical, quality housing. By submitting a Section 8 application to the Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC) Section 8 program, applicants who find themselves struggling financially may be awarded financial assistance for a safe and sanitary home within public housing. Learning how to sign up for Section 8 is the first step in obtaining an affordable home. Find out more about requirements for housing assistance by downloading our comprehensive guide. Learning how to apply for Section 8 housing in Montana goes beyond simply submitting a Section 8 application. For instance, most applicants in Montana are not familiar with the application requirements or household income qualifications as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Learn When to Submit HUD Section 8 Applications in Montana

One of the most crucial components of learning how to apply for Section 8 housing in Montana involves understanding when an application should be submitted. There is a common misconception that applicants may submit a Section 8 application whenever they choose to and to whichever housing authority they desire. However, this is not the case.  Applicants may register for Section 8 housing program benefits only through open enrollment offices in the state of Montana. Determining whether a housing office is open to accept a Section 8 application is the applicant’s responsibility. For instance, applicants who wish to sign up for HUD housing in Montana have a few housing agencies to choose from to apply. However, out of the available PHAs, only a number are open for new applicants. Figuring out when to sign up for HUD housing should involve when the preferred housing office is open and ready to accept new submissions. Since the amount of applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits usually far exceeds the number of housing units available, some housing offices will close enrollment to catch up on the backlog despite the existence of a waiting list. Remember, simply because applicants sign up for HUD housing through an open enrollment office does not guarantee them a home or approval into the program. For more details, download our guide.

Learn How to Sign up for Section 8 Benefits in Montana

Learning how to apply for housing assistance in Montana means starting by choosing the open enrollment location to submit the Section 8 application. Since Montana only allows applicants to sign up for HUD housing at one of the established districts, it is important for applicants to choose their location carefully. While some other states encourage applicants to register for Section 8 housing program benefits with multiple housing offices, Montana only allows one Section 8 application to be submitted. Once the location is settled, applicants should check their gross annual income to verify if they qualify for Section 8 assistance or for what type of assistance they qualify for. The next step for applicants to sign up for HUD housing is to understand how to apply for housing assistance in the MDOC database. A preliminary Section 8 application can be filled out online for Montana and submitted electronically. A paper Section 8 application is not necessary to be accepted for the program. Applicants should know that to sign up for HUD housing, specific information regarding the head of household and other members will be required during the process. After choosing the housing authority, the Section 8 application will also require the following details:

• Head of household’s Social Security Number, date of birth, disability status and first and last name
• Valid phone number
• Legal address for the family
• Family assets including gross income
• Household members full names, Social Security Numbers, relationship to the head of household and disability status
• Eligibility and preferences

The eligibility and preferences portion of the Section 8 application includes criteria which may entitle an applicant to a higher place on the waiting list if accepted. For instance, the Montana Section 8 application will ask if applicants are interested in Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab), which means that these units may be available for applicants during the waiting period. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing in Montana are responsible for keeping their information valid and current within the system. If a Section 8 application is submitted and an applicant is added to the waiting list, then they will be in charge of keeping their mailing address, phone numbers and income limits as current as possible. A different form from the Section 8 application is provided online for applicants who need to change their information while on the waiting list.

Learn How to Check the Status of Your Section 8 Application in Montana

Once applicants understand how to apply for Section 8 housing in Montana and submit the Section 8 application they may wonder, “What comes next?” After a Section 8 application is received, accepted and approved by the MDOC, applicants will receive a letter in the mail to indicate that they have been added to the waiting list. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing should expect their waiting list approval letter to arrive within two months from the date the Section 8 application was submitted. If applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits do not receive any approval letters or notifications in the mail, then they may contact the MDOC for further information. The best way to check the status of a Section 8 application is to log in to the dashboard of the online portal and verify any status updates. Since the Montana Section 8 application is available online, it is fairly straightforward to check the status or any updates within the system.