90-6-137. Alternate funding source for housing loans -- use of coal tax trust fund money. (1) The board of investments shall allow the board of housing to administer $15 million of the coal tax trust fund for the purpose of providing loans for the development and preservation of homes and apartments to assist eligible low-income and moderate-income applicants. Until the board uses money in the coal tax trust fund to loan to a qualified applicant pursuant to this part, the money under the administration of the board must remain invested by the board of investments.

(2) While a loan made from the coal tax trust fund pursuant to this section is repaid, the principal payments on the loan must be deposited in the coal tax trust fund until all of the principal of the loan is repaid. Interest received on a loan may be used by the board, in amounts determined by the board in accordance with 90-6-136, to pay for the servicing of a loan and for reasonable costs of the board for administering the program. After payment of associated expenses, interest received on the loan must be deposited into the coal tax trust fund.

(3) (a) Money from the coal tax trust fund must be used for the purposes identified in 90-6-134(3) and (4).

(b) Loans made pursuant to this section must meet the following requirements:

(i) Projects funded with the loans must be multifamily rental housing projects that provide low-income and moderate-income housing.

(ii) The loan must be in the first lien position and may not exceed 95% of total development costs.

(iii) The minimum interest rate charged on a loan pursuant to this section is 0.5% less than the interest rate charged for a loan funded by the housing Montana fund provided for in 90-6-133.

(iv) The board and the loan recipient shall each pay half of loan servicing fees.

(v) Projects funded with the loans must be subject to property taxes.

(4) Money from the coal tax trust fund may not be used to replace existing or available sources of funding for eligible activities.

(5) Funds administered by the board from the coal tax trust fund may not be used to pay the expenses of any other program or service administered by the board.