COMMUNITY NEEDS
Across Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties, our communities are facing real and growing challenges, from housing affordability to food access to behavioral health. Explore what’s driving these needs and how HRDC is working alongside our partners to respond.
Top Needs in Our Service Area
Communities across Southwest Montana are facing a wide range of interconnected challenges, from housing and wages to homelessness, childcare, mental health, and growth. The pages below bring together local context, data, and strategies that help explain the issues shaping life across our region.
Housing
Explore the housing pressures affecting Southwest Montana and how communities are working to respond.
Homelessness
Learn more about the factors driving homelessness in Montana and the data shaping local and statewide responses.
Jobs that Pay a Livable Wage
Learn more about the growing gap between wages and the true cost of living in our region.
Access to Affordable Childcare
See why affordable childcare remains essential for families, employers, and long-term economic stability.
Access to Mental Health Care
Understand behavioral health challenges affecting our region and why local partnerships matter.
Planning for Growth and Development
Explore how population growth is shaping infrastructure, affordability, and future community needs.
How HRDC Identifies Community Needs
Every three years, HRDC conducts a Community Needs Assessment across Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties to better understand the challenges facing our neighbors. By combining data, community input, and partner insight, this work helps ensure our decisions are grounded in real needs and focused where they can make the greatest impact.
We use the Community Needs Assessment to:
- Guide program development and investment by identifying gaps in services and systems
- Strengthen partnerships to coordinate responses and build community capacity
- Inform promotion and outreach to connect people with resources and elevate community needs
- Shape policy and advocacy efforts using community-driven data
- Advance community-driven projects to develop solutions that expand access to housing, strengthen systems, and build long-term community capacity
Read our full Community Needs Assessment here.
