RHC Update: Gallatin County Regional Houselessness Strategy
Gallatin County's growing challenges with homelessness require a unified, regional approach. In response, local organizations and government entities have developed a regional strategy for addressing homelessness to tackle these challenges through collaboration and long-term planning.
Why This Strategy Matters
Homelessness is not limited to Bozeman—as communities throughout Gallatin County grapple with housing availability and affordability, our entire region is affected. Since people across Gallatin County rely on shared resources, a coordinated, regional strategy ensures that individuals experiencing homelessness can access the support they need, wherever they are. By pooling efforts, we can maximize resources and create lasting solutions.
Who Developed the Strategy
The strategy was crafted by the Unhoused to Housed Initiative, which is a working group of the Regional Housing Coalition (RHC), a diverse group of housing experts, nonprofits, government officials, and service providers that gather to address housing attainability and stability in our region. The group is using data and proven models from other communities to identify immediate needs and long-term solutions for homelessness in the region.
Key Components of the Strategy
Transitional Housing: Expanding access to help individuals move toward permanent housing.
Safe Parking Programs: Implementing safe parking spaces for those living in their vehicles, offering temporary relief.
Community Input: Ensuring that unhoused individuals' voices are heard in creating housing solutions.
Best Practices: Implementing effective national models like Built for Zero to guide regional efforts.
One Valley’s Role
As the backbone organization of the Regional Housing Coalition, One Valley Community Foundation serves as the convener and facilitator of the strategy development process. Through the Collective Impact Model, One Valley coordinates meetings, brings together new members, and secures the investments needed to keep the Coalition's work moving forward. While not responsible for the strategy's content itself, One Valley ensures that the process remains inclusive, thorough, and driven by collaboration among all partners involved.
Moving Forward
The Gallatin County Regional Houselessness Strategy is a critical step toward addressing our community's housing challenges. With support from diverse local partners, this strategy aims to create a future where safe, stable housing is accessible to all. The Unhoused to Housed Initiative is now working to implement action plans around each component of this strategy.