House Bill No. [insert bill number] establishes a grant program aimed at increasing community shelter capacity to support the homeless population in Montana. The bill mandates the Department of Commerce to provide state matching grants at a one-to-one ratio to eligible applicants, which include local governments and nonprofit organizations. The funding is specifically targeted towards various groups, including individuals with mental health needs, homeless families with children, senior citizens, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and youth transitioning out of foster care. The bill also outlines criteria for grant applications, prioritizing projects that demonstrate geographic diversity, address existing service gaps, and include private, local, and federal matching funds.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, to support the grant program. It includes provisions for a weighted scoring system for applications, with points awarded based on geographic diversity, applicant capacity, financial feasibility, community need, and potential impact. The Department of Commerce is tasked with adopting rules for the application process and reporting the results of the grant program to the Economic Affairs interim committee by August 30, 2026. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2027.