Montana Community Reinvestment
Introduction
In 2023, the Montana Legislature passed the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act, HB 819, with the purpose “to begin to address housing needs and offer a regional, community-based solution to creating affordable, attainable workforce housing infrastructure in the state.” Section 22 of HB 819 appropriated $1 million to the Department of Commerce to “provide planning grants to local governments and tribal governments for planning and zoning reforms to increase housing supply” and “cover administrative costs of the grant program.” The Montana Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) Community MT Division (“CMT”) will administer the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act (“MCR”) Planning Grant Program in accordance with these Guidelines. The Department anticipates providing at least $1,000,000 in planning grants to eligible applicants during the current biennium (State Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025).
For more information, refer to House Bill 819.
Guidelines and Application (PDF)
Eligible Applicants
As established by § 22(2)(a) of HB 819, the following may apply for MCR planning grants:
- Local governments (including incorporated cities, and towns, counties, and consolidated city-county governments);
- and Tribal governments (includes any federally recognized Indian tribe within the State of Montana).
Local governments and tribal governments may apply for one (1) MCR planning grant per funding cycle. Applicants with an open MCR planning grant generally are ineligible to apply for an additional planning grant until their current planning project is completed and closed out, unless approved in writing in advance by Commerce.
Because they are consolidated local governments, Butte-Silver Bow and Anaconda-Deer Lodge may apply for two MCR planning grants per funding cycle and may have up to two (2) planning grants open at any given time.
If you have additional questions involving eligibility, please contact CMT staff at Commerce directly by email DOCCDD@mt.gov or call 406.841.2770.
Eligible Planning Projects and Costs
Eligible applicants may use MCR planning grant funds “for planning and zoning reforms to increase housing supply.” Eligible uses include the creation or update of plans, assessments, or studies in any of the areas listed below that contribute to an increase in local housing and with a special emphasis on increasing attainable, affordable workforce housing infrastructure in Montana.
Please contact CMT staff directly by email DOCCDD@mt.gov or call 406.841.2770 if you have any questions about whether a proposed planning project is eligible.
Funding recipients generally may use MCR planning grant funds to pay for the following activities to increase local housing supply:
- Growth policies, growth policy updates, and Land Use Plans (as required by the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act and the Montana Land Use Planning Act) related to increasing attainable workforce housing;
- Zoning regulations and zoning regulation updates related to increasing attainable workforce housing;
- Subdivision regulations and subdivision regulation updates related to increasing attainable workforce housing;
- Conducting housing needs assessments;
- Housing condition surveys;
- Housing affordability and market feasibility studies;
- Inventories of opportunities for infill and redevelopment of land to increase attainable workforce housing;
- Development of local or regional housing assistance programs;
- Fair housing plans;
- Adaptive re-use or redevelopment plans that would result in an increase in attainable workforce housing or the improvement in the condition of existing workforce housing;
- Preliminary architectural reports (“PAR”) for new or renovated attainable workforce housing;
- Site-specific development plans for new attainable workforce housing; and
- Downtown/neighborhood revitalization or master plans that would result in an increase in attainable workforce housing or the improvement in the condition of existing workforce housing.
A planning project related to increasing attainable, affordable local workforce housing supply other than those listed above also may be approved by Commerce (please contact Community MT staff by email DOCCDD@mt.gov or call 406.841.2770 prior to submitting an application for additional guidance) .
Ineligible Planning Projects and Costs
MCR planning grant funds generally cannot be used to pay for the following activities:
- Operation and maintenance costs or expenses;
- Purchase of furnishings, fixtures, equipment, or real property;
- Non-planning documents, such as final design or construction drawings;
- Construction or any other non-professional services;
- Grant administration and management expenses, with the exception of postage costs, in-state mileage costs and copy and printing costs associated with the administration of eligible planning grant activities;
- Researching other grant opportunities;
- Financial expenses, including but not limited to interest expense, bond issuance costs, or any other debt- related costs or expenses; or
- Any otherwise eligible planning project costs incurred prior to the date of announcement of grant award by the Montana Department of Commerce.
Award Amounts & Required Match
MCR planning grants are available in amounts up to $30,000. Applicants must provide a minimum financial match of 20% of the amount of the total cost of the proposed planning activity. Up to 50% of the required match can be met by “in-kind” contributions, such as regular salaried staff time or other services provided by applicants. Matching funds must be firmly committed by the time grant funds are released.
The amount of MCR funds requested, and matching funds to be committed, must be described in the proposed budget as part of the application materials (see Exhibit 2, in MCRPG Application, for the required budget format and instructions).
Firm loan commitments—such as funds borrowed from the Montana Board of Investments INTERCAP Program—or local cash reserves—are acceptable forms of match. Grants or cash contributions from other local, state, or federal agencies and programs or private organizations are also acceptable forms of match for MCR planning grant awards.
In documenting a firm commitment of matching funds, the applicant must:
- Specify the amount and use of the funds committed by the applicant as match; and
- For funds to be provided by an entity other than the applicant, provide a letter of commitment from the agency or organization involved. The commitment of funds or resources may be made contingent on MCR funds being awarded for the proposed planning project.
Reduction or Waiver of Match
Commerce may reduce or entirely waive the match requirement, if specifically requested by the applicant and granted by Commerce in writing, in limited and extreme hardship cases only. Applicants requesting a reduction of the match or a waiver may experience a longer review time. Applicants seeking to reduce or waive the match requirement must request a reduction of the match or a waiver in their application and include documentation which clearly demonstrates that higher financial participation is not possible.
Application Submission and Deadline
MCR planning grant application deadline has been extended through March 22, 2024. Applications are due to Commerce by midnight.
To apply for an MCR planning grant, eligible applicants must complete the application.
Electronic Submission
To submit your application electronically, please upload the application to the State of Montana File Transfer Service (FTS). To access the FTS, an applicant must register with OKTA. To register with OKTA, go to the FTS page and select ‘Register now!’ from the Login screen and follow the prompts. After registration, an applicant can access the FTS to upload the application for submission. Submit to: State Group - DOC CDD FTS
Please see these instructions for additional help. If you have difficulties submitting your application electronically, please email DOCCDD@mt.gov or call 406.841.2770 for assistance.
Hardcopy (Printed) Submission
Electronic submission is preferred, or you may also submit your application by first class mail or hand delivery to:
Montana Department of Commerce
Community MT Division
Community Planning Program
301 S. Park Avenue, Suite 268 - P.O. Box 200523
Helena, MT 59620-0523
Applicants are encouraged to contact CMT staff with any questions they have concerning application submittal and requirements.
Alternative accessible formats for this document will be provided upon request. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, braille, or audio recording, please contact the Montana Department of Commerce Community MT Division at 406.841.2770, TDD 406.841.2702, or the Relay Services number, 711.
The Department of Commerce does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its program, services, or activities. Individuals who need aids or services for effective communication or need other disability-related accommodations in the programs and services offered, are invited to make their needs and preferences known. Please provide as much advance notice as possible for requests.
Application Review Process
Awards will be based on overall merit of the application and its ability to meet the Montana Community Reinvestment Program goal of increasing local housing supply, with an emphasis on increasing attainable, affordable workforce housing. CMT staff will review planning grant applications and evaluate the extent to which each proposed planning project meets the goal of the MCR program and the purpose of HB 819. The Department of Commerce Director makes final decisions on grant awards.
CMT staff will first review each application for completeness. During this review, staff may contact an applicant to discuss any concerns or questions, or to request additional information or documentation. Staff may require additional information from the applicant to clarify information presented in the application; however, the applicant may only submit additional information after the initial application if specifically requested by staff.
In addition to evaluating how well the proposed planning project meets the goals of the MCR program, CMT staff will consider the overall quality of the application, including measurable project goals, tasks, and activities, a well-developed work plan and budget, and easily identifiable deliverables, in making award decisions.
Priority will be given to planning projects that increase local housing supply, especially attainable, affordable workforce housing, while enhancing the unique and resilient characteristics of communities by: 1) investing in healthy, safe, walkable downtowns and neighborhoods – rural, urban, and suburban; 2) encouraging development and community revitalization that utilizes existing infrastructure and community services; and 3) aligns with the community’s long-range planning/zoning vision and goals.
Commerce will notify successful applicants of an MCR planning grant award by sending a formal award letter. The completed application, including any written modifications resulting from the review of the application by CMT staff and approved by the Department, will be incorporated into the grant contract between Commerce and the successful applicant. The grant contract must be executed by an authorized agent of the applicant prior to disbursement of any grant award.
1/4/2024 - Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act (MCR) Planning Grant Program Virtual Town Hall
Grant Administration
Administrative Procedure and Requirements
The provisions below describe some of the more significant administrative procedures and requirements with which successful MCR planning grant applicants must comply. All procedures and requirements that the award recipient must comply with will be set forth in the grantee’s contract with Commerce.
MCR planning grant recipients must execute a contract with Commerce before any funds can be disbursed. Payment for approved expenses under the grant contract will be on a reimbursement basis only. Commerce will typically disburse 50% of the planning grant award upon request for payment accompanied by proper documentation and submittal of draft project deliverables, when applicable. To request payment from the Department, grantees must submit a Request for Funds form with supporting documentation, including a Signature Certification Form and all applicable invoices detailing the project expenditures by activity, employee and showing hourly rate breakdowns (i.e., number of hours worked at a specified rate), along with a project progress report. Documentation of the procurement process followed will be required to be submitted as part of the initial request for payment.
To receive final payment, the grantee must show proof of expenditure of all matching funds and include one electronic copy of the final planning deliverables (e.g. growth policy, zoning regulations, PAR, etc.). Commerce will determine whether supporting documents for a request for payment are sufficient and adequate to approve reimbursement. If the grantee fails to obligate expenses on or before the termination date of the grant contract, Commerce cannot reimburse the grantee planning grant award funds, unless the grantee can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of Commerce, a reasonable basis for the delay in requesting reimbursement. All documentation and requests for reimbursement must be received by the department more than 60 days prior to termination of the grant contract.
- a description of the work performed;
- the number of hours worked;
- the hourly rate for each hour of in-kind service provided; and
- work performed date(s) and work items completed.
Procurement of Professional Services
To be eligible for reimbursement of professional services, including architectural, engineering, and land surveying services, those services must be procured in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, including but not limited to, any applicable sections of MCA §§ 18-8-201 through 212 and 2 CFR Part 200. The grantee will be required to submit a form (Exhibit 3, in MCRPG Application) attesting that it followed the appropriate procurement process prior to requesting reimbursement. In order to ensure that expenditures will be eligible for reimbursement, please contact a CMT staff member directly by email DOCCDD@mt.gov or call 406.841.2770 for guidance BEFORE procuring professional services or incurring any costs for which the local government may later request reimbursement.
For procurement of planners, grant writers and consultants, CMT recommends grantees follow the best practice of using the formal RFQ process to increase the community’s ability to hire the best qualified consultant. A planning RFQ should be concise, contain all the important information needed for firms to respond in a factual manner, and indicate the services the consultant would be expected to provide. It also should include information regarding the time frame, factors that will be used to evaluate the responses, and a contact person.
At a minimum, local governments are required to conduct limited solicitation. Grantees will be asked to provide documentation that a minimum number of adequate, qualified firms were contacted in writing or via phone and provided formal quotes for consideration. Commerce recommends reaching out to 3-5 firms. The grantee will be required to submit evidence that the limited solicitation process was followed and documentation of the review and selection process. Any representative hired by a local government to conduct the RFP solicitation or procurement process cannot be subsequently hired by the local government to perform the planning services.