Housing crises can happen quickly. A missed paycheck, unexpected medical expense, job loss, rent increase, utility shutoff, poor rental history, past housing debt, or lack of a support network can put a household at risk of losing housing or make it difficult to move into a safe place to live.
The Housing Solutions Fund (HSF) is a flexible financial assistance fund operated by United Way of Missoula County in partnership with the Missoula Coordinated Entry System (MCES) and community partners. HSF is designed to help households resolve urgent housing barriers before they become deeper crises.
HSF can help households either maintain housing they are at risk of losing or obtain housing when a safe housing option has been identified but a financial barrier is preventing the household from moving forward.
HSF is used to address specific housing-related costs that directly support a household’s housing stability. Assistance may help with:
Each request is reviewed based on eligibility, documentation, funding availability, and whether the assistance will directly help the household obtain or maintain safe housing. HSF payments are made directly to approved third parties, such as landlords, property managers, utility companies, transportation providers, or other approved vendors. Payments are not made directly to clients.
For households at risk of losing their current housing, HSF may help prevent homelessness by resolving an immediate housing barrier. This may include support with rent arrears, utility shutoff prevention, or other documented housing costs that, if unpaid, could result in housing loss.
The goal is to help households stay safely housed when a one-time intervention can prevent eviction, displacement, or loss of essential housing-related services.
For households already experiencing homelessness or without a safe place to stay, HSF may help remove the financial barrier standing between the household and a safe housing option. This may include move-in costs, deposits, application-related costs, transportation to verified safe housing, or other supports that help a household move quickly out of homelessness and into stability.
The goal is to help households access housing as quickly as possible when a realistic housing solution has been identified.
HSF is not a direct client intake program. United Way of Missoula County does not complete direct applications with households.
Households access HSF through a case manager, MCES partner agency, or referring organization with the ability to complete the required housing problem-solving conversation, documentation, and referral process.
Because referral pathways may change depending on funding, partner capacity, and system availability, households seeking assistance should connect with their current case manager or a local housing, shelter, or community resource provider for guidance on available options.
All requests must include required documentation and are reviewed before approval. Submission of a request does not guarantee funding.
The Housing Solutions Fund has helped Missoula County households avoid homelessness, move out of homelessness more quickly, and stabilize in housing through flexible, targeted assistance.
November 2025 – April 2026 Impact
These numbers represent more than financial assistance. They represent households remaining in their homes, families avoiding shelter, individuals moving into safer housing, and community partners working together to respond before a housing crisis becomes more severe.
The Housing Solutions Fund is made possible through funding and collaboration between United Way of Missoula County, Missoula County, City of Missoula, MCES partners, Wells Fargo, Providence, Llewellyn Foundation, Stockman Bank, First Security Bank, private donors, and community supporters.
Your gift helps ensure HSF is available when the next household needs help staying housed or moving into safe housing.
Help today by giving to the Housing Solutions Fund.