Breaking: Zinke Saves as much as $3 Million in Montana Affordable Housing Funds from being swiped by the feds

(BOZEMAN, MT) Today, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informed Congressman Ryan Zinke and the Montana Housing Authorities (MHA) that the federal agency will halt the planned claw back of federal funds from these programs. In April, Zinke was informed that HUD rescinded $4.5 million from the MHA reserve accounts, putting roughly 576 Montana families’ access to housing assistance at risk. Zinke questioned the acting HUD secretary in a committee hearing on May 2, and with the support of MHA, HUD launched an investigation and ultimately decided to halt further planned claw backs.

 
“We are grateful for Congressman Zinke and his staff, for the time and hard work put in to protect Montanans who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Patti Webster, CEO of HomeFront. “Without his tough questioning in the hearing and relentless follow-up, HUD would have taken several million dollars from Montana Housing Authorities’ reserve accounts, making the housing crisis even worse. Along with many Housing Authorities across Montana, we are still working closely with Congressman Zinke to develop and pilot programs to address the most pressing issues with HUD, to allow for full flexibility in the use of those funds to assist the families in our local communities, and to stop the overreach of the continued offsets”

“Montanans are feeling the pressure right now due to high inflation for gas, groceries, and rent. Even a family of 3 with two good jobs can’t make ends meet in this housing crisis,” said Congressman Zinke. “Rent is through the roof, building new units is more expensive than ever, and the availability of open units is extremely limited. Now is not the time for the administration to swipe money from struggling Montanans trying to make ends meet. I’m glad the officials at HUD were willing to work with us and halt any further swipes of funding and I’m working hard to make sure Montana gets our money back. I appreciate the Montanan Housing Authorities for bringing it to my attention and working with my staff to make sure we recoup those funds for the benefit of Montanans.” 

In a House Appropriations Transportation Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee hearing, Congressman Zinke grilled acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman on $4.5 million HUD diverted from the Montana Housing Authorities (MHA) reserves. The reserves are used by MHA for financial assistance for renters in Montana who are currently grappling with an extreme affordability and availability issue thanks to decades-high inflation and skyrocketing housing costs in Montana. According to the MHA, rescinding the reserves cost roughly 576 Montana families access to housing assistance. Zinke urged the administration to remedy the issue immediately so existing contracts can continue to move forward, and the MHA can resume regular business of providing relief.  

Earlier this month, Zinke cosponsored H.R. 3170, the bipartisan Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act. The HELPER Act establishes a new home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to make homeownership more accessible to K-12 school teachers, first responders, law enforcement officers, and other essential public servants by eliminating some of the barriers for first-time homebuyers including high down payments and monthly mortgage insurance premiums. 

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