Every state has down payment or homeownership assistance programs; some states have both. The programs are designed to provide affordable housing opportunities to homebuyers who might not ordinarily be able to afford a house.
Each program can have their own income and eligibility requirements but primarily the programs are available for first-time homebuyers or low-income families.
Keep in mind if you had no ownership in a principal residence in the previous 3 years, you are also considered a first-time homebuyer even if you owned a home prior to that 3-year period.
The programs are not usually administered directly through the State. Instead, they are nonprofit based and handled through a third party agency. The list below will start you on your search but be sure to confirm the program is currently available.
(Source: HUD.gov)
Statewide Programs
Montana Board of Housing – single family housing programs or (406) 841-2820
Montana Homeownership Network – down payment and closing costs assistance available statewide – call (406) 761-5861 for details
Helena, MT – Greater Helena Area Affordable Home Ownership Program GR8 HOPe (406) 457-7354
Cities
City of Billings – closing costs and down payment assistance (406) 657-3045 or TDD (406) 657-8252
Bozeman – Human Resource Development Council: offers homeownership opportunities for low income families – call (406) 587-4486
City of Glendive – Home Program: rehabilitation funds and closing costs – call (406) 377-3318 extension 17 for details
Great Falls – Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc: down payment and closing costs assistance – call (406) 761-5861 for details
City of Great Falls – Community Development Department – Housing programs – call (406) 771-1180, ext. 407
City of Lewistown – Affordable Homebuyer Program – call (406) 535-1775 or (406) 535-7488 for details
City of Missoula – Office of Planning & Grants – call (406) 258-4657
Missoula Housing Corporation – Down payment assistance – call (406) 543-5135
Missoula – Human Resource Council District XI
Ronan – Lake County Community Housing Organization – Down payment assistance – call (406) 676-5901
Glacier Affordable Housing Program – assistance with down payment and closing costs
Kalispell – Flathead County – Glacier Affordable Housing Foundation (406) 758-7744
Libby area – contact Northwest Montana Human Resources, Inc. at (406) 293-2712
Cut Bank – contact G.A.I.N. at (406) 873-2337
Whitefish Housing Authority – Homeownership Program – call (406) 862-4143
Counties
Northwest Montana Human Resources – Mutual Self-Help Housing- down payment and closing cost assistance available in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders Counties. Call (406) 752-6565 or (800) 344-5979 for details.
District VI Human Resources Development Council – homeownership assistance available in Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Petroleum, Musselshell and Golden Valley Counties – call (406) 535-7488 or (800) 766-3018 for details.
Other programs
Billings Native American Partners in Home-Ownership – call (406) 657-3045 for details
Habitat for Humanity affiliate list for Montana