HOUSING
The Housing Program for the Little Shell Tribe is currently working on FOUR PROGRAMS to help members of the Tribe that qualify for these services.
LITTLE SHELL TRIBE HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE FUND
The Little Shell Tribal Council has established the Homeowners Assistance Fund (“HAF”) to mitigate financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by providing funds to assist Little Shell tribal members with preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020, through qualified expenses related to mortgages and housing.
The Little Shell Tribal Housing Department is now accepting applications and will prioritize applicants based on need and funding availability. Due to the limited funding, the Housing Department is currently only accepting applications from those living in the Tribe’s four county service area of Blaine, Cascade, Hill, and Glacier Counties of Montana. The Housing Department has implemented HAF policies and procedures that provide strict parameters on eligibility to ensure the HAF Program complies with all applicable legal and federal requirements.
Types of Homeowners Assistance Available:
- Mortgage Payment Assistance & Reinstatement
- Utilities including electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal and fuel oil
- Internet or Broadband Services
- Other Expenses related to homeownership such as homeowners insurance, certain down payment assistance loans, HOA fees or liens and delinquent property taxes.
For all questions, please email LittleShellHousing@lstribe.org or call 406.315.2400. The Housing Department is scheduling in-person consultations to provide help on the application by appointment only.
Do you qualify for the LST HAF Program? Do a quick check here:
APPLY TODAY:
LS EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Little Shell Tribe recognizes the need to develop a program that provides assistance to eligible low-income tribal members whose rental housing needs cannot be met without financial assistance.
The Little Shell Tribal Council has established the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERA”) to provide financial assistance and housing stability services to eligible low income households. The Little Shell Tribal Housing Department (“Housing Department”) may provide financial assistance payments for rent (including rental of a mobile home, mobile home rental space, and rent-to-own agreements); rental arrears (past due rental invoices); utilities and home energy costs (such as electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal and fuel oil); utilities and home energy arrears (past due utility bills); and other expenses related to housing incurred due, directly or indirectly, to COVID-19 (such as relocation expenses, rental fees, internet services, or hotel costs).
Under federal law and guidance, the Housing Department will generally disburse ERA funding directly to the landlord or utility/energy provider. The Housing Department will prioritize funding assistance to those meeting very low (50%) income limits and/or those with households that have an individual that has been unemployed for the past 90 days.
The Housing Department will also prioritize applicants with past due rent or utility bills. Assistance for future rent and utilities will limited to three months with the possibility of additional months based on funding availability.
The Housing Department has implemented ERA policies and procedures that provide strict parameters on eligibility to ensure the ERA complies with all applicable legal and federal requirements. The requirements in this application reflect both tribal and federal requirements. Carefully read the ERA Application below for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
ELDER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM -COMING SOON
This program is intended for rehabilitation activities on privately owned homes, owned and occupied by eligible low-income LST members who are 62 years of age or older.
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – COMING SOON
The purpose of this program is to provide low-income members of the Little Shell Tribe with affordable homeownership financing opportunities to help improve the quality of life in the LST’s service area.
Both of these programs will utilize IHBG funds. To be eligible applicants must be located in LST’s service area for this program, which is currently Blaine, Cascade, Glacier, or Hill County, Montana. The LST Housing Program is working on policies and eligibility standards for these programs.