State says Montana rental assistance program largely unused

By AMY BETH HANSON Associated Press
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana set aside $50 million in federal coronavirus relief funding to help people make their rent or mortgage payments during the economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus.

But through the end of July, the program has paid out just over $1.2 million.

The state says there hasn't been many applications, despite the fact that more than 130,000 people have been unemployed at some point since mid-March.

The Department of Commerce says some landlords are holding up payments because they have not provided the state all the information it needs.

The Montana Landlords Association counters that it is asking tenants to apply, but some aren't following through.