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).