Montana Housing Newsletter

The emergence of the novel Coronavirus, coupled with an environment of divisive politics and civil unrest, has impacted so many aspects of our personal and professional lives. Bruce Brensdal, after 30 years of incredible service to the state of Montana dedicated to the expanding access to affordable housing, transitioned to retirement. And it seems all our remarkable transitions and life events are now captured via virtual Zoom calls.

Yet despite and even in response to events beyond our control, the staff at Montana Housing have demonstrated a tireless commitment to our mission with a heightened awareness of all of the small and big ways our work impacts families and induviduals across our state.

Starting with the passage of the CARES Act, Montana Housing staff has also been actively assessing the impacts of COVID-19 related to legislation and regulations and implementing programmatic shifts needed to comply with these changes. This has included mortgage forbearance requirements, foreclosure and eviction moratoriums, adjustments to file reviews and on-site inspections and a plethora of other impacts. Not only have we needed to digest and implement these changes internally, but we’ve also needed to communicate these changes with our partners and clients.

Since March 1, Montana Housing staff have worked approximately 7,000 hours on COVID-19 related activities, including administration of the two phases of the Emergency Housing Assistance program.

With all of these challenges facing us, Montana Housing will continue our mission to help Montanans have access to affordable homes. And along with our housing partners, we will make it through this with added resiliency and strength.

 Cheryl Cohen – Division Administrator, Montana Housing