Montana Legal Services Association & The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project Grant

Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) Civil Legal Aid:

Our mission is to protect and enhance the civil legal rights of, and promote systemic change for, Montanans living in poverty.

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP):

MLSA is one of 12 organizations in Montana that received a grant from The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)  to support youth and young adults struggling in homelessness or housing instability. With shared responsibility, the YHDP envisions a community in which all youth and young adults know their rights, access services that make housing readily available to them, and create pathways for youth struggling in homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency.

YHDP Partners:

Action Inc., Alliance for Youth, Browning Public Schools, Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana, Dawson Community College, Hays Lodgepole Schools, Human Resource Development Council Agencies (7, 9 & XI), HEART Program Kalispell Schools and Tumbleweed.

How can MLSA help those you serve?

MLSA provides FREE legal information, forms, advice appointments with attorneys, and representation to eligible clients. If you are working with someone who needs legal help, have them contact MLSA.

MLSA’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP) Navigator  walks clients through the legal process they aim to navigate. The Navigator also provides referrals to community agencies and YHDP partners so that youth can access housing and meet other basic needs.

MLSA provides legal assistance throughout the entire state, while the other YHDP grantees are front-door agencies providing a range of housing and shelter services to those who qualify. Additionally, some programs offer help with security deposits, life-skills training, and refer their clients to MLSA for legal assistance.

Examples of civil legal issues MLSA may be able to help with:

• Obtaining Identifying Documents
• Accessing Educational Rights + Higher Education
• Domestic Violence – Order of Protection
• Medical Consent
• Emancipation
• Name Change
• Guardianship – Establishing or Changes
• Entering into Contracts
• Accessing Benefits
• Housing/Tenants Rights & Responsibilities
• Parenting Plans
• Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
• Consumer Issues
• Immigration
• LGBTQIA+ Discrimination
• Crime Victims’ Rights