The issue of homelessness in Bozeman is a visible and growing crisis, with the Regional Housing Coalition attributing it to the city being a hub for service providers for unhoused individuals. HRDC’s emergency shelter is a major provider, serving people from various towns in southwest Montana. In response to the increasing demand for shelter and transitional housing, the Unhoused to Housed Initiative has developed the Gallatin County Regional Houselessness Strategy.
One Valley Community Foundation is leading the strategy development process, aiming to bring all stakeholders together to address homelessness effectively. Key components of the strategy include expanding transitional housing access, implementing safe parking programs for temporary relief, and gathering input from unhoused individuals. HRDC and other stakeholders have contributed to creating the strategy, ensuring a unified approach towards addressing homelessness in the region.
Community leaders are working towards prioritizing goals and directing resources effectively to achieve solutions for homelessness. The focus now is on ironing out the details of each component of the strategy to ensure its efficient implementation. Heather Grenier, CEO and president of HRDC, emphasizes the importance of turning the strategy into an action plan to effectively address homelessness and provide tangible solutions for those in need. By working together and utilizing the strategy as a guide, community leaders hope to make significant progress in combating homelessness in Bozeman.
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