HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Governor Steve Bullock announced Wednesday, March 31 new measures to keep Montana hospitals and Montanans safe, financially stable and assisted during this tough time.
Governor Steve Bullocks said that as Montanans stay home, they still need to be able to meet their financial needs and this relief package will help those who are struggling at this time paying rent or bills.
“As Montanans take seriously the responsibility to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19, they shouldn’t also have to worry about whether they can keep a roof over their head or if they’ll have running water. They shouldn’t have to worry about having the heat turned off if they can’t pay the rent or make the monthly utility bill. Today, I am issuing a directive that prohibits landlords from evicting tenants from their homes who cannot pay the rent during the stay at home order. It also prohibits late fees or other penalties due to late or nonpayment of rent during the stay at home order. This directive also stops residential foreclosures due to nonpayment for the duration of the stay at home order.”
The directive also prohibits any suspension or late fees of utilities during the stay at home order as well.
Bullock says Montana hospitals will also receive funding to stay open so they can retrieve needed supplies during this pandemic.
“I issued a directive that allows Montana Hospitals and related facilities to receive financing to remain open and acquire supplies needed to respond to COVID-19. This directive will allow healthcare, medical and related facilities to receive financing under the Montana Facility Finance Authority Act for operating expenses connected with COVID-19.”
Bullock says Montanans take care of each other and already many individuals and businesses have stepped up to assist those in need.
“So many Montana businesses have already stepped up on this front and I want to especially commend them and their work and their dedication for all our communities. Even before this directive, every single provider of electricity in Montana including Northwestern Energy, NBU and every single electric cooperative, they agreed to voluntarily stop service disconnections for the duration of the COVID emergency. Water providers are stepping up too voluntarily to suspending disconnects as well and our internet companies, which are so vital now that kids are home for distance learning, they are also stepping up and suspending service disconnections.”
Bullock wants to thank the public for taking all the necessary COVID-19 measures seriously.
As of Wednesday afternoon there are 5 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in Montana.
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