null — not applicable, since Montana does not assign competitive point scores to Applications (no "winning score" concept exists in this QAP).
Select a category to read its scoring criteria.
01
No point-based scoring system exists
See criteria+
Montana's QAP explicitly states there is "no formal evaluation or scoring of Pre-Applications" (QAP §III.C.1, p.13) and the term "Selection Criteria" is defined as the full set of QAP requirements, considerations, factors, set-asides and priorities the Board may weigh qualitatively (Appendix A, p.58-59) — not a point rubric. Instead, Applications must comply with mandatory, non-point 'Development Evaluation Criteria' compliance categories (below), and the MBOH Board then uses broad discretion under the 'Selection Standard' to choose which Projects 'best meet the most pressing affordable housing needs' — considering the Development Evaluation Criteria alongside ~13 other listed qualitative factors (geographic distribution, rural/urban location, QCT/DDA location, depth of income targeting, need/vacancy data, rehab of existing stock, energy initiatives, sponsor capacity, cost efficiency, historic-downtown location, award frequency by area, preservation of rental-assistance units, and funding sources/leverage) with no weights assigned to any factor.
02
Lower Income Tenants (mandatory compliance item, not scored)
See criteria+
Must satisfy income/rent-level targeting (weighted average 53% AMI or below for 9%, 60% or below for 4%) or provide existing/committed project-based rental subsidy covering at least 50% of units. Pass/fail — not point-weighted. (QAP §VII, Development Evaluation Criteria #1, p.32-33)
03
Project Characteristics (mandatory compliance item, not scored)
See criteria+
Must satisfy at least one of: proximity/access to an Amenity (grocery or medical service); Small Town (pop. <10,000) or Tribal Designated Area location; preservation of existing affordable housing stock as part of a community revitalization plan; or historic preservation adaptive reuse/rehab. Pass/fail. (QAP §VII, Development Evaluation Criteria #2, p.33-34)
04
Local Involvement (mandatory compliance item, not scored)
See criteria+
Must satisfy at least one of: documented local community input (meetings/charrettes/commission meetings held within 6 months of the deadline); location in a Qualified Census Tract tied to a local revitalization plan; or a local entity's committed support (referrals, service coordination, land donation, infrastructure funds, fee waivers, or other in-kind support). Pass/fail. (QAP §VII, Development Evaluation Criteria #3, p.34-35)
05
Design Requirements (mandatory compliance item, not scored)
See criteria+
Must comply with the QAP's Design Appendix; any requirement marked mandatory applies to all Projects regardless of other criteria. Pass/fail. (QAP §VII, Development Evaluation Criteria #4, p.35)
06
Tenant Populations with Special Housing Needs (mandatory compliance item, not scored)
See criteria+
Family Projects must commit at least 10% of units to one of: large families/3+ bedrooms; full Section 504 accessibility; Permanent Supportive Housing for persons with disabilities; or veterans/domestic-violence victims/youth aging out of foster care. Elderly new-construction Projects must meet Section 504 accessibility on 20% of units. Pass/fail. (QAP §VII, Development Evaluation Criteria #5, p.35-36)
Scoring source
2027 QAP §VII, "Development Evaluation Criteria and Selection" (p.30-37), and the definitions of "Selection Criteria" and "Selection Standard" in Appendix A (p.63). Also §III.F.1 "Pre-Application" and §III.F.2 "Award" (p.14-16), and §III.C "First Award Round" (p.13), which state Pre-Applications receive "no formal evaluation or scoring." §VII.B "Award Determination" confirms no numeric scoring exists at final award either -- Montana's process is qualitative/discretionary at every stage, both 9% and 4%.
MODEL ASSUMPTIONS
Underwriting parameters
2027 QAP, Section VIII, "Underwriting Assumptions and Limitations" (pages 37-40, sub-sections A.1-A.8), Montana Board of Housing, https://commerce.mt.gov/_shared/housing/Docs/2027GOVAPPQAP.pdf. Developer Fee and Soft-Cost-Ratio limits are in Section VIII.G, "Development Cost Limitations" (pages 46-48). Fee amounts are in the companion MBOH Housing Credit Fee Schedule (FeeSchedule20230901.pdf), referenced at QAP Section IV, "Applicable Fees" (page 19).
OPERATING ASSUMPTIONS
Utility allowance
Preferred method: Montana Dept. of Commerce (Montana Housing) Section 8 Utility Allowance schedule (regional schedules) or USDA Rural Development UA, used by default/for annual recertification; HUSM or an Energy Consumption Model (ECM) may be substituted only with prior MBOH approval (numbers no more than 30 days old at submission, requests filed 90 days before Placed-in-Service or the annual anniversary date).
