The state of Montana will be conducting a statewide study to determine what level of funding is needed to subsidize housing costs for low-income Montanans who are served in the state’s behavioral health system.

Governor Greg Gianforte announced that $1 million of public funds will be made available to conduct the study which will direct the allocation of $300 million to eligible Montanans as recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission. The Governor said that he secured the funding last year “to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems.”

“Access to affordable, stable housing is critical to ensure Montana youth, adults, and families can meet their behavioral health needs,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As the nation continues to grapple with a shortage of affordable housing, we need to ensure at-risk Montanans have access to the support they need. This study will allow the state to make the most effective and efficient use of our resources to take care of vulnerable Montanans.”

The one-time funding will be transferred to the Montana Department of Commerce which will work in partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to conduct the Fair Market Rent Reevaluation Study.

“The BHSFG Commission recognizes that stable housing is fundamental and critical to ensuring that the behavioral health and developmental disabilities needs of Montanans are met,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. “The study will help maximize housing funding to support as many low-income Montanans as possible.”

Brereton said the Commission brought this NTI forward because low-income individuals served by the state’s BH and DD systems are increasingly unable to access affordable housing.

Through the study, information will be gathered on current rental rates throughout the state to help determine the funding necessary to supplement federal rental assistance.

Access to housing is shown to significantly improve BH and DD outcomes for vulnerable individuals, reduce strain on the health care system, and yield significant cost savings to emergency services.

In addition, studies show children whose families receive vouchers for rental housing change schools less frequently, are less likely to be placed in foster care, and experience fewer sleep disruptions and behavior problems.

On May 22, 2023, Gov. Gianforte made a generational investment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems by signing House Bill 872 into law. A central component of the governor’s Budget for Montana Families, the $300 million investment will expand intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.