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More than one housing program
This property uses more than one affordable housing program. That can change who qualifies and how rent is set, so read the labels below and call the office to confirm the unit you want.
Programs on this listing include LIHTC tax credit · Income Average AMI, Section 8 PBV.
Best fit
Seniors
Rent
Est. $1269 - $3399/mo
Based on local HUD estimates
Floor plans
1 Bed • 2 Bed
Total Units
44
Year Built / Opened
2021
HUD Score
94
Waitlist expected. Click Check Eligibility below to generate your ready-to-print application materials so you're first in line.
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How Walk Score worksNearby places
Grocery store
Town & Country Foods, about 0.83 miles away
School
Hawthorne School, about 0.34 miles away
What this means for you
This property includes LIHTC tax credit · Income Average AMI, Section 8 PBV. Rent rules can change by unit, so ask the office which program applies to the apartment you want.
LIHTC: These are income-based apartments with rent limits tied to the local Area Median Income (AMI) — not market-rate rent. Rent limits are set from the local AMI. If this property also has rental assistance, some tenants may pay about 30% of adjusted income.
HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent, or SAFMR, is a ZIP-code-based fair market rent estimate. It can help you compare what different bedroom sizes may cost in this area.
| Bedroom | 90% | SAFMR | 110% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,269 | $1,410 | $1,551 |
| 1 BR | $1,467 | $1,630 | $1,793 |
| 2 BR | $1,836 | $2,040 | $2,244 |
| 3 BR | $2,511 | $2,790 | $3,069 |
| 4 BR | $2,781 | $3,090 | $3,399 |
These values are only a comparison tool. They do not replace the property's actual rent, and they do not guarantee what you will pay unless your program uses SAFMR directly.
Not explicitly confirmed. Call ahead to verify elevator availability and doorway widths before applying.
Management Company
FPI Management Inc
Property Owner
FIRE TOWER HOUSING ASSOCIATES LLLP
Profit Motivated
HUD Property ID
800012421
Rent-Restricted Units
44 of 44 total
income-restricted tax credit apartments
Fire tower apartments is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartment community in Helena, Montana. LIHTC properties — also called Section 42 housing or tax credit apartments — are income-restricted rentals developed with federal tax credits administered by state Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs). Qualifying residents pay rent based on a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Helena. These properties are among the most affordable apartments available without a Section 8 voucher.
To qualify, your total household income must fall at or below the income limit set for this property — currently Income Average of AMI. Unlike public housing, LIHTC income-restricted apartments are privately managed and require you to apply directly to the property. Rent is fixed at a discounted rate tied to AMI — not to your specific income — so your monthly payment stays predictable.
By law, LIHTC properties must remain rent-restricted for a minimum of 30 years. Fire tower apartments was placed in service around 2021, keeping rents income-restricted at least through ~2067. This property has an extended 46-year affordability commitment — providing long-term housing stability well beyond the minimum.
You must be of qualifying age. Your income must fall within HUD's Area Median Income (AMI) limits for Helena.
This listing shows historically available units. Ask directly if a unit is open today.
If you use a wheelchair or walker, confirm elevator access and doorway widths before submitting a paid application.
Last inspection 6/6/2025 · This score means the property meets HUD's highest safety and quality standards.
Did you know?LIHTC properties have specific maximum rent limits based on your income and the local Area Median Income (AMI). Read the full guide
For 59602-0000, the reported fair market rent amounts are Studio $1,410 ($1,269 / $1,551); 1 BR $1,630 ($1,467 / $1,793); 2 BR $2,040 ($1,836 / $2,244); 3 BR $2,790 ($2,511 / $3,069); 4 BR $3,090 ($2,781 / $3,399). These figures are reference points used in housing assistance programs and voucher calculations, but they do not guarantee your lease rent.
| Bedroom | 90% Standard | SAFMR | 110% Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,269 | $1,410 | $1,551 |
| 1 BR | $1,467 | $1,630 | $1,793 |
| 2 BR | $1,836 |
Rent-Restricted Until
~2067
Extended commitment: 46-year affordability period
Income Limit
Income Average
Your household income must be at or below this % of Area Median Income
Designated For
Elderly · Families
May have preference policies — confirm with management
| $2,040 |
| $2,244 |
| 3 BR | $2,511 | $2,790 | $3,069 |
| 4 BR | $2,781 | $3,090 | $3,399 |
The 90%, 100%, and 110% columns show the range around the base SAFMR value for each reported bedroom size. If you are using a voucher or other subsidy, ask management which standard they use for your unit size.
Town & Country Foods is about 0.83 miles away from Fire tower apartments.
Hawthorne School is about 0.34 miles away from Fire tower apartments.
This record reports: 1 Bed • 2 Bed. Availability can change rapidly, so ask management which layouts are currently open and whether any accessible units are available.
Use the eligibility checker to see the next step for this listing. Contact details are not shown here, but you can start the process and get your application path from the property page.
We'll ask a few basic questions and then show the next step.
Fire tower apartments is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property. HFA records indicate the income ceiling is set at Income Average. This means your household income must be at or below that percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) for helena. The exact dollar threshold depends on your household size. Management will verify income during the application process.
To view the specific income caps (e.g. 30%, 50%, or 60% AMI limits) for all household sizes, check out the AMI Calculator .
Our eligibility tool automatically cross-references your household size and gross income with the local AMI database for this property to determine your fit.
This property has an extended affordability commitment beyond the standard LIHTC 30-year minimum — the record shows 46 years of affordability, keeping rents income-restricted until approximately 2067. This is a legally binding commitment, providing greater long-term housing stability for residents.
HFA records show this property was acquired and rehabilitated using LIHTC funding around 2021. Renovation scope varies widely — some properties received light cosmetic updates while others were substantially rebuilt. Ask management what was renovated, the age of key systems (roof, HVAC, plumbing), and whether any additional work is planned.
According to HFA records, this LIHTC property is specifically designated to serve elderly residents, families. This means it may have specialized services, accessible units, or preference policies that prioritize these groups. Contact management to understand their current preference and waitlist selection process — being in a designated group does not guarantee priority without a formal application.
Yes, this property participates in the Project-Based Section 8 program. Unlike a tenant-based voucher that moves with you, this subsidy is attached to the specific building. Eligible tenants generally pay 30% of their adjusted gross income toward rent, and the federal government covers the rest.
Federal law requires that at least 40% of available Project-Based Section 8 units each year be reserved for "extremely low-income" families—those earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or the federal poverty line. If your household income is in this lowest tier, you may have higher priority on the waitlist.
Yes. Federal regulations mandate strict criminal background checks for Section 8 housing. Specifically, anyone subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement or convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing is permanently disqualified. Local housing authorities may also have additional screening criteria for recent drug-related or violent offenses.
Section 8 requires applicants to have U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. However, unlike some other rural programs, Section 8 allows for "mixed-status families" (households with both eligible and ineligible members). In this case, your rental assistance would be prorated based on the number of eligible household members.
Data Provenance
Sourced from LIHTC Database. Last updated: Aug 8, 2026.Read our methodology.
