HRDC’s Warming Centers to Close Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Effective Wednesday, March 18, HRDC’s Warming Centers in Bozeman and Livingston will close due to concerns of spreading the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, to people experiencing homelessness.

HRDC’s Warming Centers were scheduled to close for the season on March 31. The Bozeman location will today begin to offer limited day services to provide guests with appropriate outdoor gear, showers, restrooms, and wellness checks. The Livingston location is working with community businesses to help shelter guests in other locations and will provide appropriate gear as needed.

“We know this is a difficult time for our community and particularly those without shelter. This decision did not come lightly and comes at the recommendation of our Advisory Council. The concern stems from the ability to appropriately space sleeping bunks in line with current CDC recommendations and the number and percentage of our Warming Center guests that are included in the high-risk population. We will continue to work with partners to explore alternative shelter solutions. HRDC is committed to taking every precaution considering the vulnerability of our team members, our volunteers, our customers and our community. We have the health and safety of everyone in mind and intend to serve our community in the safest way possible. We are working on ways to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while still making sure the essential needs of our customers are met. We have made numerous program adjustments across our family of programs and services to be able to continue to meet the needs of the community and respond to surfacing needs,” says Heather Grenier, HRDC’s CEO and President.

HRDC’s Warming Center in Bozeman is located at 2104 Industrial Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715. HRDC’s Livingston office is located at 111 S. Second St, Livingston, MT 59047. To make a donation, visit thehrdc.org/give-now. Checks can be mailed to 32 S. Tracy Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715. For more information about HRDC’s Warming Center or any other HRDC program or service, visit thehrdc.org.