Workforce Rental Assistance Program

Program Overview

The goal of this program is to help full-time and seasonal equivalent employees to successfully live and work in the Whitefish area by providing rental assistance. This program is aimed at helping our workforce retain housing and get into new rental units. This program is not for emergency housing needs, utility payment assistance, or relocation services.

Priority will be given to households with at least one household member who is employed in the City of Whitefish, then to those with members employed within the 59937-zip code area, and finally to those with employment outside the 59937-zip code area in Flathead County.

Funding will be prioritized based on economic need. Further program eligibility criteria may be established or modified by the program administrators.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Live in the 59937 zip-code.

  • Work in the 59937 zip-code is prioritized.
    People who work outside of the 59937 zip-code and inside Flathead County are eligible for funding.

  • Work requirements:
    Work on average 32 hours a week or 1600 hours a year at a job in the 59937 zip-code (full-time or seasonal work)

    1. As a single parent (without a co-parent) working 20 hours a week or 1000 hours a year (part-time or seasonal work).

    2. New residents will be considered for assistance with an employer letter.

    3. People who are unable to work due to a disability, retirement, or seasonal unemployment are eligible for funding. Additional eligibility criteria will apply.

      1. If the applicant is retired, provide evidence that the applicant was 60 years of age or older at the time of retirement, and for the five years immediately prior to retirement, worked an average of 32 hours or more per week in the 59937 zip-code and earned at least 75% of his or her income from such a business.

      2. If disabled, evidence that the applicant is a person unable to work or does not have a work history due to qualifying for disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

      3. Students doing a full-time practicum, student-teaching, or internship are eligible to apply (min. 32 hours/week).

  • Make under 100% of the area median income (AMI). Please use gross income (before taxes).

    Household Size Income Limit

    1 $61,900

    2 $70,700

    3 $79,600

    4 $88,400

    5 $95,500

    6 $102,500

  • Pay more than 30% of their gross income towards rent.

    1.  (Monthly Rent x 12 = Annual rent; (Annual Rent/Gross Annual Income) * 100 = % Income toward rent)

      a.    Example: $1,300 x 12 = $15,600; (15,600/45,000)*100 = 34.7%

  • Before applying, make sure you have the following available as they will need to be uploaded as attachments:

    1. Individual or family’s previous year tax return & W2s for all jobs worked.

    2. Paystubs from the past 3 pay periods for all jobs.

    3. Copy of lease agreement.

    4. Individual/household income amounts.

    5. Landlord contact information.

Funding Policies

  • Funds can be used for:

    • Monthly rental assistance

    • First & last month rent required at move in

  • Funds cannot be used for:

    • Security deposit

    • Pet deposit

    • Moving expenses

    • Utility bills

    • Back rent or prior expenses

  • Additional Policies

    • Max funding available: Funding may be up to 25% of the total monthly rental payment and capped at $4,800 per year per household.

    • Distribution of funds will be made to the housing providers as the funds are needed and requested. Special circumstances may apply. Landlords will need to submit a W9 and will be issued a 1099 at the end of the year.

    • Roommates may separately apply for help if they individually meet the criteria.

    • Only one member of a household may apply. A household includes multi-generational families living together, spouse, spouse and children, or committed partner regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. Please reference the table below that shows household size and income limits.

    • Funding decisions will be based on the Applicant Criteria and the completed application.

    • All funding decisions are considered final. Any changes to approved grant requests must be discussed and reviewed prior to any use of granted funds.

    • Applicants may reapply annually or upon the signing of a new lease.

    • This is a pilot project and there is no guarantee of funding for the following years.

Workforce Rental Assistance Program FAQs:

  • A. Yes, you are eligible to receive funding, but priority will be given to households that have someone working in the City of Whitefish and then the Whitefish zip-code.

  • A. No, you need to work at a job in Flathead County with priority given to those working in the City of Whitefish and in then in 59937 zip-code.

  • A. If you work on average 32 hours per week or 1,600 hours a year, yes, you are eligible to receive funding.

  • A. We recommend you tell your landlord you are applying for this program. If your application is approved, you, your landlord, and Housing Whitefish will need to sign an agreement before receiving rental assistance payments. View the landlord agreement here.

  • A. Yes, you are eligible to apply with a letter/email from your employer verifying your work.

  • A. No, this program is for monthly rental assistance or first/last month support required at move-in.

  • A. It depends! Payments will not to exceed 25% of your rent or push you under paying 30% of their income on rent. A few examples:

    1. An individual is paying $1,300/month for a one-bedroom apartment. At 30% of their income ($41,230/year), they should be paying $1,031/month for rent. The applicant would be eligible to receive $269/month, paid directly to their housing provider, to bring their rental payments to 30% of their income down from 38%.

    2. A family of 3 is paying $2,100 for a 2-bedroom home. At 30% of their income ($65,000), they should be paying $1,625/month. The family is eligible to receive the maximum amount per month of $400 and will go from paying 39% of their income towards rent to paying 31%.

    3. A single parent is paying $1,600 for a 2-bedroom apartment. At 30% of their income ($35,000), they should be paying $875/month. Since they can receive no more than 25% of their rental payment from this program, they will receive $400/month. They will go from paying 55% of their income to rent to 41%.

  • A. No, payments will be made directly to your landlord/property manager.

  • A. Funding decisions will be made based off economic need. Those with lower income and those paying more of their income towards rent will be prioritized.

  • A. You can apply once a year OR when you sign a new lease agreement if under a year.

  • A. No, roommates should apply separately. If you live with a committed partner, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status, you should apply together as a household.

  • A. No, only one member of a household should apply. A household includes multi-generational families living together, spouse, spouse and children, or committed partner regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.

  • A. No, this program will not help with back rent or prior expenses.