SB 504 proposes creating a $75 million grant program to fund permanent supportive housing projects in Montana. The bill would provide grants to nonprofit organizations for constructing, rehabilitating, or acquiring housing that offers long-term affordable leases (for residents earning 60% or less of the area median income) and onsite support services like mental health care, job assistance, and addiction recovery. It allocates $50 million from the general fund and $25 million from a behavioral health fund, with grants disbursed based on project proposals and adherence to specific conditions, including outcome tracking. The program, administered by the Montana Department of Commerce, aims to directly support homeless or at-risk individuals through housing and integrated services, effective July 1, 2025. (Note: The bill died in process in May 2025 and did not become law.)
SB 225 would create a refundable income tax credit for Montana renters with household income under $45,000. The credit equals the lesser of 4% of rent paid above household income or $500, phasing out completely for incomes of $45,000 or more. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters who pay rent in Montana, providing a refund even if they owe no income tax. The bill also amends tax code sections to include this credit in regular review cycles and prohibits claiming it alongside the existing elderly property tax credit.
HB 277 would have required a minimum 3-year lease term for mobile home lot rentals in Montana, affecting mobile home park landlords and tenants. This default 3-year term could be waived by a tenant through a documented, informed request for a shorter term. The bill also mandated that landlords provide at least 180 days' written notice before terminating a lease. It further outlined monetary damages for parties who terminate a rental agreement without cause before its expiration.
HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.
SB 501, the "Keep Montanans Housed Act," would require Montana landlords to offer tenants the first opportunity to purchase their rental property before selling to a third party. Landlords must provide tenants with a written offer at a price comparable to market value or appraised value within 45 days, allowing tenants to challenge the offer using their own appraiser at their expense. The bill would directly affect tenants in qualifying rental units and landlords seeking to sell or vacate properties for demolition, repurposing, or sale. However, the bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and never became law, so these provisions remain inactive.
HB 304 revises residential tenant security deposit laws, directly affecting both landlords and tenants. The bill requires landlords to provide tenants with an itemized written notice of any unaccomplished cleaning and estimated costs before deducting cleaning charges from a security deposit. Tenants are then given 48 hours, extended from 24, to complete the necessary cleaning. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging a fee for inspecting the cleaning tenants have completed within this timeframe.
HB 21 proposes to establish a Montana workforce housing tax credit for taxpayers owning an interest in qualified low-income housing projects. Beginning in 2026, these taxpayers could claim the credit against their income or insurance premium taxes for a six-year period, with unused portions carried forward. The Board of Housing would allocate these credits, up to $1.5 million annually, using a qualified allocation plan. The bill defines "qualified project" as a low-income building under federal law and adds this new credit to the list of tax credits subject to legislative review.
HB 416 requires homeowners' associations (HOAs) to obtain permission from property owners before an HOA agent may enter their private real property. When seeking permission, the HOA must propose a convenient date and time for the owner and specify which part of the property the agent needs to access. Property owners have the option to require their presence or their agent's presence during the HOA's entry. This bill clarifies rules for HOA access to private property, but it does not affect access to areas generally open to the public like sidewalks.
HB 505 modifies the Montana Housing Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund Account. The bill allows this fund to retain all interest and income it earns, rather than those funds being transferred elsewhere. It also directs the state treasurer to transfer $50 million from the general fund into this account by June 2025 and another $50 million by June 2026. These provisions aim to increase the resources available within the revolving loan fund, which supports housing infrastructure projects. The principal of the fund can only be appropriated by a two-thirds vote of each legislative house.
HB 831 increases Montana's elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit to help low-to-moderate-income seniors. It raises the maximum credit from $1,150 to $1,400 and increases the household income threshold for eligibility from $35,000 to $50,000 before the credit phases out. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments to maintain the credit's value and applies retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This directly benefits Montanans aged 65+ who own or rent homes and meet the updated income limits.
