Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley partners with HRDC to complete tiny home community

BOZEMAN – HRDC’s tiny home supportive housing community, Housing First Village, welcomed its first 13 residents at the beginning of November. Thanks to a partnership between HRDC and Habitat for Humanity, seven more homes will be completed in the Spring of 2022 providing more community members with the opportunity for stable housing and supportive services that address individual barriers to maintaining housing.

HRDC and Habitat are both committed to creating homes residents in our region can afford across the housing continuum from emergency shelter to homeownership.

“Having a home is more than just a convenience; it’s a sense of belonging. It’s a sense of place that every income level understands. Habitat is grateful to partner with HRDC on Housing First Village, because having a home can change a life. Doing much of the work with volunteer labor is simply a further illustration of the many wonderful partnerships arising from our community to accomplish this

project,” said Gale Heide, Development Coordinator Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley
With a severe lack of available affordable housing in Gallatin County, Habitat and HRDC are pleased to collaborate with volunteers toward long-term solutions for people experiencing homelessness. This partnership aligns with the mission of both organizations to build homes, community, and hope.

The Housing First model directly addresses chronic homelessness by pairing single-residency, trauma-informed designs with the best practices of supportive housing. Once housed, community members who have been most at risk will be better positioned to increase community belonging, enhance mental and
physical well-being, and further complete their transition out of crisis into safety and stability. Supportive services include behavioral health, substance use, and employment support. Central to this model's success is a resource hub, which provides access to health resources, case management, and other support services.

"Nearly all of the community’s residents have been long-term customers of HRDC. We have known there is a need for this kind of evidence-based solution to chronic homelessness for a long time and we are excited to see residents move in and begin building community at Housing First Village,” stated Tracy Menuez, HRDC’s Associate Director, Community Development.

Menuez continued, “And we are so grateful to Habitat for Humanity and the volunteers for leading the construction of additional homes. A chance to swing a hammer on site is something we've been asked about for years and we are thrilled Habitat can make that happen. People really want to help with this project because they believe in the mission. Thanks to the partnership of Habitat, seven more residents will be able to join Housing First Village in the coming months and will have a warm, dry, safe home as well as a system of support to help them succeed."

"HRDC and Habitat are both committed to creating homes residents in our region can afford across the housing continuum from emergency shelter to homeownership. With a severe lack of available affordable housing in Gallatin County, Habitat and HRDC are pleased to collaborate with volunteers towards long- term solutions for people experiencing homelessness. This partnership, targeting a critical need, aligns with the mission of both organizations to build homes, community, and hope."

Since 1975, HRDC has served communities in Southwest Montana by addressing hunger, homelessness, education, financial opportunity, transportation, housing, and other challenges faced by our community members.

Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley has built homes and fulfilled dreams in partnership with hardworking families and individuals for 30+ years. Additional information can be found at: https://thehrdc.org/?s=housing+first+village https://www.habitatbozeman.org/get-involved/volunteer/