Housing authorities MTMontana Department of Commerce

Montana Department of Commerce

Montana Department of Commerce is based in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, MT and administers 4,465 Section 8 vouchers.

HUD PHA code MT901. Program type: Section 8. Households served: 3,531. Occupancy: 79%. ZIP codes served: 12.

Payment standards

The maximum subsidy this authority uses for Housing Choice Vouchers, effective 2026-01-01.

Area	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedroom	3 bedroom	4 bedroom	5 bedroom
Beaverhead	$838	$1,031	$1,142	$1,599	$1,917	$2,205
Big Horn	$1,019	$1,058	$1,388	$1,771	$2,048	$2,355
Blaine	$925	$961	$1,262	$1,520	$2,013	$2,315
Broadwater	$1,367	$1,569	$1,863	$2,245	$2,973	$3,419
Carbon	$1,114	$1,168	$1,510	$2,077	$2,336	$2,687
Carter	$972	$1,090	$1,326	$1,597	$2,114	$2,431
Cascade	$993	$1,043	$1,368	$1,917	$2,175	$2,501
Chouteau	$1,022	$1,062	$1,393	$1,690	$2,089	$2,402
Custer	$1,175	$1,307	$1,714	$2,354	$2,363	$2,717
Daniels	$801	$838	$1,091	$1,492	$1,741	$2,002
Dawson	$980	$1,027	$1,337	$1,610	$2,010	$2,311
Deer Lodge	$845	$1,041	$1,152	$1,614	$1,902	$2,187

Source: authority's payment standard schedule. Checked against HUD Fair Market Rent for these ZIP codes.

Waiting lists

Program	Status	Source
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)	Open	Authority's page
Project-based vouchers	Open	Authority's page
Public housing	Open	Authority's page

As published on the authority's website when we last checked it. Confirm with the authority before applying.

Fair Market Rent by ZIP code (FY2027)

HUD Fair Market Rent for each ZIP code this authority serves. Each ZIP code links to its own rent page.

ZIP code	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedroom	3 bedroom	4 bedroom
59410	$880	$1,010	$1,270	$1,760	$1,840
59421	$1,010	$1,040	$1,350	$1,870	$2,040
59601	$1,150	$1,320	$1,650	$2,280	$2,390
59602	$1,420	$1,630	$2,040	$2,820	$2,950
59623	$1,150	$1,320	$1,650	$2,280	$2,390
59625	$1,150	$1,320	$1,650	$2,280	$2,390
59633	$1,040	$1,190	$1,480	$2,050	$2,160
59635	$1,060	$1,230	$1,520	$2,090	$2,190
59636	$1,330	$1,530	$1,910	$2,650	$2,770
59639	$780	$890	$1,120	$1,550	$1,620
59640	$1,420	$1,630	$2,040	$2,820	$2,950
59648	$1,180	$1,350	$1,690	$2,340	$2,450

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents, FY2027.

Contact

Montana Department of Commerce

301 S Park Ave Ste 240, Helena, MT 59601

Phone: (406) 841-2830

Official website: mt.gov

Email updates

About Montana Department of Commerce

Overview

The Montana Department of Commerce operates a Section 8 voucher-only program in Helena, serving Lewis and Clark County. The agency administers 4,465 Section 8 vouchers, providing assistance to 3,531 households. With an occupancy rate of 79%, the program supports families in securing affordable housing without managing any public housing units.

Scale and standing

The Montana Department of Commerce ranks first among the two authorities serving the same ZIP codes in the area, notably outpacing the Helena Housing Authority, which administers 401 vouchers. On a statewide level, it holds the top position among the nine authorities that offer Section 8 vouchers, underscoring its significant role in providing housing assistance.

Rent standards in the area it covers

The two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (FMR) in the area ranges from $1,180 to $2,040, with an average of $1,624. This is higher than the state average of $1,406. The highest FMR for a two-bedroom is found in ZIP code 59602 at $2,040, while the lowest is in ZIP code 59639 at $1,180.

Cities served

Section 8 Fair Market Rent by city in this authority's jurisdiction.

Other housing authorities serving these ZIP codes

Multiple authorities administer vouchers across the same area.

Helena Housing Authority
Helena, MT, 401 vouchers

Source: US HUD Public Housing Authority data; Fair Market Rent FY2027. This is an independent reference page, not the authority's own site.