[1] The organization provides an array of programs and services for the LGBTQ community, including mental and behavioral health, anti-violence services, support groups, specialized services for youth, seniors, and those living with HIV, community meeting space, and it now operates the nation's largest LGBTQ-affirming, affordable, senior living center in the nation, the Law Harrington Senior Living Center.

[9][10] The center faced many financial burdens in its formative years, particularly because of the high cost of providing health insurance for its employees living with HIV/AIDS.

[10] In the 1990s the center became one of the first places in Houston to offer temporary housing to gay men and transgender people.

[1][10] Around the same time, the windows of the Montrose Center were painted in rainbow colors to represent that it served the LGBTQ community.

The group stated that they were protesting the Montrose Center because "[it] is an oozing, purulent sore of sodomite contagion: pushing proud sin and the proliferation of incurable disease".

[21][22] In 2011, the Montrose Center was part of a report issued by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs that addressed intimate partner violence for LGBT individuals.

[4] In the report, it stated that it had served 27 victims of intimate partner violence in the previous year, 52% of which were men, 44% women, and 4% transgender individuals.

[25] The Montrose Center began with providing mental health services to LGBTQ individuals as its mission.

[37] The Montrose Center has special programming for senior citizens, as older LGBTQ individuals often face various unique problems with accessing healthcare, assisted living, and general issues with retirement.

[2] The $26.5 million facility features 112 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments and is open to low-income individuals and couples who are 62 years or older that meet income requirements.

The Montrose Center offers services that are more directed towards community building and general recreation, rather than health or anti-violence.