Frequently Asked Questions
Questions:
- What is the Consolidated Plan?
- What programs does the Montana Consolidated Plan serve as an application for?
- What is the difference between a five-year plan and an annual plan?
- Who develops the Montana Consolidated Plan?
- What areas of the state does the Montana Consolidated Plan cover?
- Have any other documents been prepared in support of the Consolidated Plan?
- When is the Montana Consolidated Plan submitted to HUD?
- Do I have a say in what is provided in the Consolidated Plan?
- Is a draft of the Consolidated Plan available for public comment before submission to HUD?
- How can I comment on the Consolidated Plan?
- Will I be notified about the draft comment period for the Montana Consolidated Plan?
- Is it possible to get the Consolidated Plan in alternative formats? Is it possible to provide for the needs of persons with disabilities or non-English speaking persons at public meetings?
- How can I get a copy of the most recent Montana Consolidated Plan?
- I have other questions about the Montana Consolidated Plan. Whom should I contact?
Answers:
1. What is the Consolidated Plan?
The Montana Consolidated Plan is an annual document submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which combines the application and planning process for three housing and community development programs. It is intended to be a resource document for use by communities in determining the housing, economic development and public facility needs for their areas.
A five-year Consolidated Plan was prepared and submitted to HUD in February 2005 for the period 4/1/2005 through 3/31/2010. The next five-year Consolidated Plan for the period 4/1/2010 through 3/31/2015 will be submitted to HUD in February 2010. Annual Action Plans are submitted in interim years.
2. What programs does the Montana Consolidated Plan serve as an application for?
The Consolidated Plan is an application for the following state appropriations of HUD programs:
- The Community Development Block Grant (administered by the Montana Department of Commerce);
- The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (administered by the Montana Department of Commerce); and;
- The Emergency Shelter Grant Program (administered by the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services).
3. What is the difference between a five-year plan and an annual plan?
The five-year plan describes housing and community development needs and market conditions; provides an inventory of housing services and programs; describes broad priorities and actions for state housing and community development; and sets forth a one-year action (or annual) plan.
An Annual Action Plan outlines the expected resources available, types of activities to be funded, the geographic distribution of funds, and actions for the upcoming plan year. Each annual plan year begins April 1, and ends March 31.
4. Who develops the Montana Consolidated Plan?
The Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC), Housing Division, has been designated as the lead State agency in developing the Montana Consolidated Plan. The Community Development and Business Resources Divisions and the Department of Public Health and Human Services (MDPHHS), Human and Community Services Division also assist in developing the Consolidated Plan.
5. What areas of the state does the Montana Consolidated Plan cover?
The Montana Consolidated Plan covers the entire state excluding the cities of Billings, Great Falls and Missoula which are separate entitlement areas receiving their own allocations for HUD programs.
6. Have any other documents been prepared in support of the Consolidated Plan?
Numerous surveys, analysis, and studies are performed to update and support the Consolidated Plan. Some of these documents include:
- The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing & Housing Choice
- Montana Housing Resource Directory
- Economic and Demographic Analysis of Montana, Volumes I, II, & III
- Economic and Demographic Databook (provides historic and forecast employment data, earned and unearned income data, earnings by industry, and age cohorts.)
A listing of other documents available can be found on the Housing, Economic and Demographic Reports & Statistics Web page.
7. When is the Montana Consolidated Plan submitted to HUD?
The plan is submitted to HUD by February 14 each year.
8. Do I have a say in what is provided in the Consolidated Plan?
Citizen participation is critical to the planning process. Several opportunities for citizen input are encouraged and provided during the development of the Consolidated Plan. Public input meetings are held at different locations around Montana for the express purpose of receiving comments.
9. Is a draft of the Consolidated Plan available for public comment before submission to HUD?
A draft comment period lasts a minimum of 30 days and usually begins in early to mid-fall and extends through mid-December. Copies of the draft Plan are available at some public libraries; a limited number of copies are also available through MDOC, Housing Division; and it is available on the MDOC Web site .
10. How can I comment on the Consolidated Plan?
A minimum of two public hearings are held throughout the state at various locations in the fall. The hearings provide an opportunity for the public to provide verbal comments concerning the plan. Written comments are also accepted throughout the public comment period ending in mid-December. All comments on the draft Plan are taken into account when making final alternations to the Plan before submission to HUD.
11. Will I be notified about the draft comment period for the Montana Consolidated Plan?
All persons who have attended public meetings or focus groups, or have commented on previous drafts of the Montana Consolidated Plan will be notified by mail of the availability of the draft document and the comment period. In addition, public notices are placed in newspapers around the State and posted on the MDOC's Web site and Consolidated Plan Current Events Web site before the comment period.
12. Is it possible to get the Consolidated Plan in alternative formats? Is it possible to provide for the needs of persons with disabilities or non-English speaking persons at public meetings?
The Consolidated Plan will be provided in alternative formats upon request. All of the public meetings are held in facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities. Provisions for non-English speaking persons at public meetings will be available upon request. To request alternative formats, please call 406.841.2820, telephone device for the deaf (TDD) 406.841.2702.
13. How can I get a copy of the most recent Montana Consolidated Plan?
A Montana Consolidated Plan may be obtained by calling: 406.841.2820 or TDD: 406.841.2702 or by accessing the web page at:Consolidated Plan Documents
14. I have other questions about the Montana Consolidated Plan. Whom should I contact?
General questions about the Montana Consolidated Plan may be directed to:
Leslie Edgcomb, Consolidated Plan Coordinator
Montana Department of Commerce, Housing Division
PO Box 200545
Helena, MT 59620-0545
406.841.2820
- What is the HOME Program?
- What does HOME stand for?
- Where does the HOME program get its money?
- Does Montana have any "participating jurisdictions" (PJ's) other than the Montana Department of Commerce?
- Who is eligible to apply for HOME funds?
- Can an individual apply directly to the HOME program?
- What type of housing activities can be applied for under the HOME program?
- What is the HOME Program Single-Family Allocation Pilot Program?
The HOME Program is a Federal program designed to help States and local governments respond to the need for adequate, affordable housing for low- and very low-income individuals and families.
HOME is an acronym for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program which was created under Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990.
3. Where does the HOME program get its money?
HOME funds are allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD) by formula. Forty percent of the formula-based funds are divided among the States and the remaining 60 percent are distributed among "participating jurisdictions" that include cities, urban counties and consortia.
4. Does Montana have any "participating jurisdictions" (PJ's) other than the Montana Department of Commerce?
Montana has three other participating jurisdictions: Great Falls, Billings and Missoula. The PJ's jurisdictional areas include the area within their legally described city limits.
5. Who is eligible to apply for HOME funds?
Eligible applicants include the following:
Local Governments
A local government may apply for HOME funds directly or sponsor an application on behalf of a nonprofit or a for-profit organization. If awarded funds, the Applicant (local government) remains responsible for meeting all HOME requirements, including those related to long-term affordability.
Counties may apply to use HOME grant funds for activities proposed to resolve housing problems in the unincorporated jurisdiction of the county. A county may apply for a housing project that will include activities within the jurisdiction of an incorporated city or town if the proposed project is intended to benefit all county residents. A county may apply for a grant to fund a project that would assist two or more separate, unincorporated communities.
Municipalities may apply to use HOME grant funds for projects proposed within the jurisdiction of the incorporated city or town. A municipality may apply for a project located outside the city's jurisdiction if it can provide assurances the project area will be annexed within the HOME contract period.
Consolidated city-county governments will be considered as two separate jurisdictions: one, the city jurisdiction; and two, the unincorporated jurisdiction of the county. Each may apply separately for HOME funds. The city and county boundaries, as delineated on the date of consolidation, will define the jurisdiction of each.
HOME entitlement cities (currently Billings and Great Falls) receive HOME funds directly from HUD, and as such receive and process all HOME applications for projects within the city limits. Entitlement cities are not eligible Applicants for Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC) HOME funds unless a second round of competition is proposed.
Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO)
CHDOs are MDOC-certified non-profit organizations that are incorporated under State of Montana law. CHDOs can apply for HOME grant funds to develop, own, or sponsor housing projects within their jurisdiction. CHDOs are also eligible to participate in non-CHDO housing activities. According to HUD regulations, tenant-based rental assistance, homebuyer assistance and single-family/multi-family rehabilitation projects are not considered CHDO-eligible activities. A CHDO applying for funds to perform a non-CHDO activity remains a CHDO BUT loses its CHDO status for the applicable year of competition and will not receive special consideration for the 15 percent of funds set-aside for CHDOs.
Public Housing Authorities (PHA)
PHAs are eligible Applicants in the Montana HOME Program. PHAs apply as quasi-local governmental entities, and as such, follow the same application requirements as local governments. PHAs may apply for projects inside the jurisdictional area (up to 10 miles outside the city limits) they serve.
6. Can an individual apply directly to the HOME program?
An individual may not apply directly to the State HOME program. However, individual families are the recipients of all HOME grant funds through the eligible applicants.
7. What type of housing activities can be applied for under the HOME program?
Applicants may pursue homeowner opportunities, rental opportunities, or a combination of both.
- Homebuyer Assistance
- Homeowner Rehabilitation
- Rental Rehabilitation
- New Construction
- Tenant Based Rental Assistance
- Acquisition
8. What is the HOME Program Single-Family Allocation Pilot Program?
Beginning in 2006, the HOME Program will allocate half of Montana's HOME funds to homebuyer assistance (HBA) and homeowner rehabilitation (HOR) activities by formula statewide. Rather than competing in the HOME program's annual competitive application process, cities, counties, public housing authorities (PHAs), and community development housing organizations (CHDOs) may access these funds completing a noncompetitive qualification package. For more information on the pilot projext and the qualification process, please go to Single-Family Allocation Pilot Program .
