Affordable Housing Development

The Affordable Housing Development Program, managed by the City of Billings, aims to promote the construction of affordable housing for low-income households. City staff endorse this program annually for funding through the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership programs. The Community Development Board reviews the overall program application and then makes funding recommendations to the City Council.

The City receives around $500,000 in CDBG and $270,000 in HOME funding to allocate to all programs (First Time Home Buyer, Public Services, Public Facilities/Infrastructure), including the Affordable Housing Development program. During the pandemic, higher repayments on home buyer and repair loans enabled larger awards for housing development (see below). However, with repayments slowing since 2022, future funding awards are likely to be reduced.

Application Status

  • Committed: $1.2 million HOME, Mitchell Court, GL Development
  • Committed: $1.545 million in HOME and CDBG, LB Lofts

(Last update: January 9, 2026)

New Projects - Application & Requirements

Affordable Housing Development Program applications are accepted year-round from organizations interested in affordable housing development including developers, owners, sponsors, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and third-party contractors. First priority status is offered to organizations qualifying as a Community Housing Development Organization. 

How to become a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO)

A CHDO is a private nonprofit organization certified by the HOME program to perform housing-related activities involving ownership, sponsorship and development. The City is required to dedicate at least fifteen percent of new HOME allocations to CHDOs. Therefore, applications submitted by CHDOs are offered priority status. Each CHDO must annually demonstrate staff capacity and development experience in order to maintain CHDO status. Organizations interested in becoming a CHDO or maintaining annual CHDO certification must complete an application and submit accompanying documents.

Prior to completing an application, please review the CHDO Survivor Kit in order to assess the organization's readiness to become or remain a CHDO. Applications submitted by a CHDO will receive first priority.

Registration Requirements

Developers and contractors working in housing programs must register with the City as a vendor, obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number and register with the System for Award Management: 

  • City: The vendor packet includes the Vendor/Contractor Registration Application, a vendor information form, and a W-9 form.
  • Unique Entity ID (UEI) Registration: All contractors must acquire a UEI number through the federal government's System for Award Management (SAM). You can visit the SAM website at https://sam.gov/content/home to register. The process is free. Please refer to this fact sheet for UEI details.
  • SAM Registration: Contractors are required to register with the SAM. The process involves creating an Individual Account and then registering as a new entity. Please visit the SAM.gov website for details or contact the Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAC) for assistance at 406-869-8410. PTAC assistance is free.