Increased Need for Emergency Shelter Services Expected Given Impending Cold Temperatures and Snow
BOZEMAN — Blustery weather and the season’s first snow has staff at HRDC’s emergency overnight shelter preparing for additional guests. By the end of this month, daily hours of operation will be expanded to 7:00 pm to 8:00 am during the cold winter season. With upwards of 150 known people camping in vehicles in and around the city, shelter manager Jenna Huey expects to see an increase in demand for overnight services
“For folks whose campers or cars are not weatherized to withstand extreme temperatures, or for those who have been camping in tents, we are able to provide a warm, safe place to sleep during inclement weather,” Huey said.
In recent years
“The severe shortage of affordable housing in our community continues to force individuals who live and work here to find unconventional ways to address their basic needs,” stated Brian Guyer, Emergency Housing Director for HRDC. Guyer expects to see additional pressure on Bozeman’s shelter this winter. “This summer we regularly provided refuge to 80 guests a night. Because of this significant demand for shelter, we are preparing contingency plans should we reach our maximum guest capacity during the upcoming frigid months.”
Gallatin Valley has experienced several exposure-related deaths. These often-preventable deaths are unacceptable to HRDC which fundamentally believes everyone deserves to be warm at night.
Huey and Guyer are united in their gratitude for the generosity of residents throughout Gallatin Valley who provide monetary support, volunteer hours, and in-kind donations for supply drives.
Donations of socks and gloves are an immediate need as are hygiene products and cleaning supplies.* Without financial donations the shelter would not be able to provide a safe alternative to community members experiencing homelessness.
For more information, please visit thehrdc.org/housing/homeless-services/emergency-shelter/bozeman-shelter/.
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