Celebrating 50 Years of Building a better community
For half a century, HRDC has been a driving force for positive change in Southwest Montana. What started in 1975 as a small but determined effort to address local needs has grown into a cornerstone of community support, impacting tens of thousands of lives across Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties. From launching our first programs in youth employment and weatherization to expanding into food security, housing, transportation, and economic development, HRDC has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of our communities.
This timeline highlights the key milestones that have shaped our journey—moments of innovation, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to building a thriving, inclusive community. As we reflect on 50 years of impact, we also look ahead with determination, knowing that our work is far from over. Thank you for being part of our story.
In 1975, something big happened. Prior to 1975, Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties had no dedicated community action agency, and the services available were few and far between. But a group of passionate changemakers saw the need for action. With help from Montana State University’s Sociology Department, young volunteers led by Rodger Ala put together a situation statement outlining the challenges in our communities. Their hard work paid off as they were soon awarded a $40,000 grant from the Community Services Administration to officially launch a community action organization dedicated to serving Gallatin, Park, and Meagher Counties, called HRDC District IX.
With that first grant, we moved from borrowed space at MSU into rented office space on Main Street in Bozeman. Our programming started small, focusing on youth employment, weatherization, migrant services, senior volunteering (RSVP), and child care. Today, we’ve grown into a powerhouse for housing, food security, transportation, early childhood education, and more.
As energy costs soared in the mid-1970s, HRDC recognized the urgent need to help families struggling to keep their homes warm. Our first efforts in 1976 focused on simple but effective measures like caulking and weather stripping, ensuring homes were better sealed against Montana’s harsh winters. By 1986, HRDC had emerged as a state leader in mobile home weatherization, even helping Montana develop statewide specifications for retrofitting mobile homes. That winter, we set a record by weatherizing 211 homes, significantly reducing heating costs for families with low or limited income.
Over the decades, our Weatherization program has evolved to include advanced energy audits, attic insulation, and ventilation improvements designed to make homes safer and more efficient. Thanks to long-standing partnerships with the Department of Energy, LIHEAP, and Northwestern Energy, we’ve now weatherized over 5,000 homes. Today, we continue to push the boundaries of energy efficiency by incorporating renewable energy solutions like Solar PV systems, helping families lower their energy burden while reducing our community’s reliance on fossil fuels.
In 1979, HRDC played a pivotal role in securing funding for the Co-op’s first manager and staff, launching what was originally known as Crossroads Consumer Services Co-op. A handful of dedicated community members sought greater control over their food supply, and with our support, the Co-op opened in a small house on South Wallace Avenue.
From those early days, the Co-op has grown into a thriving, community-owned grocery store, with two locations, a central kitchen, and more than 22,000 member-owners. It has helped shape Bozeman’s local food landscape, supporting Montana farmers and providing fresh, organic, and sustainable food options.
Our role in launching the Co-op was just the beginning of our work to strengthen food security in Southwest Montana.
On January 11, 1982, HRDC took a major step toward fighting food insecurity by launching our Gallatin Valley Emergency Food Bank. In our first year alone, we served 549 households—nearly 1,500 people—providing critical emergency food assistance.
This effort was made possible by a dedicated team led by Mary Martin through a VISTA project, along with key developments such as the passage of Montana’s Good Faith Donor Act, which encouraged food donations, and commitments from major supermarkets to contribute unsellable but still nutritious food. Additionally, a rental agreement with Gallatin County secured a small house in downtown Bozeman as our food bank’s first location.
What started as a small operation has become a cornerstone of regional food security. Over the years, HRDC has expanded our work to alleviate hunger to keep pace with the community’s evolving needs, opening satellite sites and launching vital programs including the Livingston Food Resource Center, Gardiner Food Pantry, KidsPack, Summer Lunch, Senior Groceries, and Fork & Spoon to ensure greater access to nutritious food for all.
In 1983, HRDC, alongside Kalispell HRDC, led efforts to establish a statewide food bank network to enhance food access across Montana. During the 1983 legislative session, HRDC helped push for House Bill 407, which provided initial state funding of $25,000 to support food banks through a coordinated system. This network approach improved the quantity and quality of food available, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient response to food insecurity.
Today, the Montana Food Bank Network continues to provide critical resources and support to food banks of all sizes, especially those in remote communities with limited access to assistance. HRDC’s early advocacy laid the foundation for a statewide system that remains vital in addressing hunger in Montana today.
HRDC’s commitment to supporting older adults began with the launch of RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) in 1972 and Galavan in 1973. RSVP was created through the Older Americans Act to provide seniors (60+) with flexible volunteer opportunities, allowing them to stay active while addressing community needs. Over the years, more than 2,000 RSVP volunteers have contributed nearly 1.8 million hours to local nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and municipalities.
Recognizing the need for senior transportation, RSVP volunteers established Galavan in 1973 to help older adults and individuals with mobility challenges maintain their independence. HRDC officially took over the service in 1983, expanding it to ensure seniors could access medical appointments, grocery stores, and social activities. Today, our Galavan program provides thousands of rides annually, funded through partnerships with local governments, grant funding, and rider donations.
From early on, HRDC has always been focused on the long game, addressing the needs of today while focusing on the solutions for tomorrow. Often, that means seeding a new entity, forging a new partnership, pioneering a new approach, or implementing policy to get at the root of the problem. Our historical documents point to early investments in economic development, citing seed money for community initiatives as early as 1987.
HRDC has been instrumental in the development of many organizations and initiatives we cherish today. These include the Livingston Food and Resource Center, the Gardiner Food Pantry, the Montana Conservation Corps, the Montana Food Bank Network, the Community Food Co-op, the Big Sky Community Housing Trust, the Gallatin Valley Urban Transportation District, the Gallatin Housing Impact Fund, the Park County Housing Coalition, and more.
HRDC has always also been rooted in economic development. Our entrepreneurial spirit can be seen through our work in social enterprise programming and business incubation within our commercial kitchen space.
Whether the community need is housing, transportation, food security, public land stewardship, investments to benefit housing affordability, child care, or community connections, HRDC has been willing to lean in, learn, develop, create, and launch programming and models that are impactful here, across the state, and replicable in other places. This allows us our legacy of leaving a lasting impact.
In 1989, HRDC was selected as one of only 12 organizations nationwide—out of 1,600 applicants—to receive funding through the Demonstration Partnership Program. This $250,000 grant supported business start-up costs for low-income individuals in Gallatin, Park, Meagher, and Madison counties. Administered in partnership with Headwaters Entrepreneur Resources, Inc., the initiative provided critical capital to help entrepreneurs launch and sustain their businesses. Later known as the Capital Opportunities Grant, this program played a key role in fostering economic independence by equipping aspiring business owners with the resources needed to succeed.
In recognition of HRDC’s leadership, Bozeman was selected to host the first national Micro-Business Development and Financing Conference for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Business Development Projects. Held May 20–21, 1991, this event brought national attention to HRDC’s innovative approach and local impact.
In 1992, HRDC took a significant step in addressing the region’s housing challenges by establishing the Affordable Home Ownership and Management Enterprise (H.O.M.E.), a subsidiary corporation designed to promote affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. This initiative marked HRDC’s formal entry into community development, focusing on providing sustainable housing solutions.
HRDC's commitment to affordable housing grew throughout the 1990s, with the development of the West Babcock Neighborhood starting in 1992 and finishing in 1995. This landmark project included the West Babcock Apartments, a Head Start Center, and 20 single-family homes through the state’s first Community Land Trust (CLT). HRDC’s ongoing work in housing expanded to include the development of tiny homes, transitional housing, and preservation of subsidized housing, marking its pivotal role in shaping the region’s housing landscape.
Over the years, HRDC has continued to grow as a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Certified Housing Development Organization (CHDO), working alongside partners, local governments, state and federal partners, and the community to bridge the gap in attainable housing, developing more than 750 rental units including both subsidized and rent restricted units, more than 140 shared equity homes including land trust and mobile home park preservation, the first ever tiny home permanent supportive housing community (19 units), more than 60 transitional housing units, and over 140 shelter beds, addressing needs along the entire housing continuum.
HRDC continues to lean into innovation and partnerships to advance affordable housing initiatives, with 864 new rental units currently in development, the first community land trust in Gardiner (36 units) now moving through the entitlement process, and nine additional shared equity homes in Bozeman. Further, HRDC is investing in creating housing development capacity in the communities it serves, creating the Big Sky Community Housing Trust and the Park County Housing Coalition.
In 1990, HRDC, along with the Kalispell and Billings HRDCs, established the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC), which was officially incorporated on August 29 of that year. The organization was created to engage young people in hands-on conservation service, inspired by the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from the 1930s. In 1991, MCC fielded its first crew in Bozeman in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, marking the start of its statewide efforts.
By 1993, MCC secured AmeriCorps funding, which doubled its budget and expanded its reach with regional offices across Montana. Since then, MCC has had a profound impact on conservation efforts, youth development, and workforce training. Crews have worked on various projects including trail construction, forest health, and habitat restoration. Through programs like the Veterans Green Corps and Indigenous Conservation Corps, MCC has provided specialized training for young adults and military veterans. Today, MCC continues to lead national conservation efforts, offering thousands of young adults valuable skills and leadership experience while contributing to the preservation of Montana's public lands.
In 1991, HRDC launched its Head Start program to provide comprehensive early childhood education for children aged 3 to 5. Supported by federal funding and in partnership with Montana State University, the program began in borrowed classrooms across Bozeman, Belgrade, and Livingston. Within six months, 18 staff members were hired and four classrooms were operating. The initial grant also supported a home-based option, then called Home Start, which began serving four families with a goal to reach 30 by early 1992.
Just a few years later, HRDC secured a Community Development Block Grant to construct a permanent two-classroom facility on North 24th Avenue in Bozeman. This marked a major step in establishing long-term access to early learning. Over time, HRDC expanded the program’s reach, purchasing facilities in Bozeman and Livingston and developing an early learning center in Belgrade with 4 classrooms. Head Start has since served more than 6,500 families, becoming the only provider of no cost preschool in the area and a driving force in improving early childhood education, strengthening families, and building partnerships that support young children and their growth.
HRDC continues to integrate programming by partnering with our local school districts across the region. We currently have programs established in Livingston, West Yellowstone, Belgrade, Bozeman, and Three Forks, and we are actively exploring additional partnerships in other surrounding communities.
In 1993, HRDC launched the Home Buyers Club in partnership with First Bank to support local families on their journey to homeownership. That year, 42 households participated in homeownership seminars, and 10 families completed the monthly follow-up program. Of those, six achieved their goal of purchasing a home. The Home Buyers Club laid the groundwork for HRDC’s long-term commitment to affordable homeownership, pairing education with emerging housing opportunities.
Building on the success of these early efforts, HRDC officially established Road to Home as a dedicated program in 2002. By 2003, the program was fully introduced to the community, offering first-time homebuyer education, individualized coaching, and down payment assistance. Since then, Road to Home has provided down payment assistance for 340 loans, helping hundreds of households take the critical first step toward homeownership. Road to Home continues to be a key resource for families navigating the complex homebuying process, helping to make homeownership more accessible and sustainable for hundreds of households across our region.
In 1995, HRDC established Resource Property Management (RPM) to meet a critical need in the affordable housing landscape: the lack of property management companies with the expertise to navigate and maintain compliance with complex federal housing programs, especially the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. At the time, no local companies had the necessary skillset, and without a capable management partner, investors were unwilling to fund new developments. HRDC launched RPM to fill this gap and ensure the long-term viability of affordable housing across our region and beyond.
Over the years, RPM has managed a growing and diverse portfolio of properties funded through HUD, HOME, USDA Rural Development, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Its reach and impact have only expanded, from major renovations of aging properties like the Colorado Street apartments in Belgrade, to preserving large community housing complexes in Bozeman such as Darlinton Manor and the Boulevard Apartments in Bozeman and the Miles Building and Sherwood Inn Apartments in Livingston. Today, RPM continues to be a critical piece of HRDC’s housing strategy, by continuing to preserve and protect our community’s existing housing supply and the residents who live there.
In 1995, HRDC partnered with the City of Livingston to develop 14 townhomes on West Reservoir Street, launching the Livingston Land Trust—the first community land trust homeownership opportunity in Park County. The homes were restricted to households earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and were designed to remain affordable for future buyers. This project laid the groundwork for decades of housing investment in the region, including 12 adjacent rental cabins added in 2020. Today, HRDC stewards 16 land trust homes in Livingston, adding two more through a generous estate gift.
HRDC’s impact has grown beyond homeownership to include preservation and expansion of affordable rentals. The Miles and Sherwood buildings, dating back to 1998 and 2001, were rehabilitated in the early 2020s using a combination of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, and permanent debt. These projects safeguarded housing for long-time residents—many of whom are aging or living on fixed incomes—who would otherwise face significant challenges securing similarly priced housing in the current market. As a Community Development Corporation, HRDC continues to support Park County through strategic partnerships, planning efforts, and housing development across the continuum.
In 1998, HRDC received the deed to 32 South Tracy from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, securing a permanent home for community services in downtown Bozeman. The building—constructed in 1915 as Bozeman’s first Federal Building and later used as a National Guard Armory—had sat vacant for years, even serving briefly as a filming location for A River Runs Through It. HRDC led a multi-year effort to restore the space with help from local partners and a Community Development Block Grant. The renovation, completed in 2001 and celebrated with the community that October, preserved the building’s historic character while transforming it into a lasting hub for HRDC’s mission.
Since its reopening, 32 South Tracy has anchored HRDC’s presence in the community, providing a welcoming, central location where thousands of customers have accessed housing support, energy assistance, food resources, and more. Its visibility and accessibility have helped build trust with those HRDC serves, while its preservation symbolizes the agency’s commitment to honoring the past while investing in the future. The building remains a daily reminder of what’s possible through partnership, perseverance, and purpose-driven work.
In 1999, HRDC launched the Community First Fund (CFF) to fill a critical gap in community development financing. Born from HRDC’s housing and development work, CFF was designed to provide more flexible, less restrictive funding options than traditional state or federal sources.
With support from the Willow Springs Foundation, HRDC approached the Foundation with a vision for a tool to unlock projects stalled by bureaucratic limitations. The result was a fund that could move quickly and strategically to support initiatives that generate jobs, build affordable housing, and strengthen the physical and social fabric of Montana communities. This marked HRDC’s first experiment with social impact investing—a concept that would later inspire the creation of the Housing Impact Fund.
In 2010, CFF was formally approved as a separate nonprofit corporation in the State of Montana, enabling it to expand its reach and deepen its impact. Over the years, CFF has helped HRDC and partners respond nimbly to community needs, supporting innovation and long-term growth across the region.
In 2002, HRDC recognized that a public transit system would be essential to the region’s future, especially as the Gallatin Valley grew. Initial conversations, supported by Montana State University studies and the Greater Bozeman Area Transit Development Plan, identified key transportation needs and helped galvanize support for a community-based transit solution. From the outset, HRDC was intentional about incubating a system that could one day transition to a more sustainable model backed by the community.
This vision led to the launch of Streamline in 2006 and the steady growth of transit services throughout the region. As Gallatin County’s population expanded—particularly between 2010 and 2019—so did demand for more robust service. HRDC always anticipated that the long-term sustainability of public transportation would eventually require converting to an Urban Transportation District (UTD), which would have the authority to levy mills and secure permanent local funding.
That transition became more urgent following the 2020 Census, when Bozeman shifted from a rural to a small urban area, impacting federal transit funding eligibility. In response, HRDC and local leaders worked together to form the Gallatin Valley UTD, a collaborative entity with broad community representation. In May 2023, voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the UTD with 79% support, affirming the community’s investment in the future of both Streamline and Galavan services.
In 2004, HRDC partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Montana Department of Commerce to expand housing opportunities in the Gallatin Valley through the acquisition of 14 blocks in the River Rock subdivision. With the passage of a HOME Grant resolution, HRDC secured enough grant funds to purchase these blocks and transfer them to Habitat for Humanity. This partnership was born from the growing need for affordable housing options, and it would allow residents the opportunity to invest their time and effort into building their own homes.
The project resulted in the construction of 14 homes for families who may not have had the chance to own a home otherwise. Each homeowner contributed their own labor to the project, making this not just a financial investment but a deeply personal one. These homes provided families with long-term stability and a sense of pride in their new communities. The collaboration between HRDC, Habitat for Humanity, and the Montana Department of Commerce made a significant impact on the availability of attainable homes for ownership in the region and continues to shape community development efforts today.
In 2005, HRDC began working closely with the Meagher County Senior Center (MCSC) and the Meagher County Commission to address the growing need for senior housing in White Sulphur Springs. Together, they renovated an 8-unit USDA Rural Development property and developed new homes for lower- and moderate-income seniors. These projects not only increased housing stability and independence for local seniors but also reduced reliance on outside funding, creating a sustainable path forward for the community.
Just as importantly, this effort laid the foundation for HRDC’s long-standing partnership with MCSC. For years, the Senior Center served as a vital connector between residents and HRDC services—bridging the gap until HRDC could establish its own office and staff in White Sulphur Springs in September 2022. This collaborative model continues to shape how HRDC brings essential resources to rural communities.
In 2009, HRDC leveraged federal funds from the Housing Economic Recovery Act (HERA) to respond to the housing crisis brought on by the Great Recession. This funding, which was restricted to acquisition and development, allowed HRDC to purchase a distressed property that was platted for 106 units, with only 24 built, and was in foreclosure. HRDC transformed this property into the West Edge Condominiums, creating 96 homes and providing affordable homeownership opportunities to families earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). A quarter of the homes were sold to households earning less than 50% AMI.
The success of this project helped stabilize the local housing market by offering a pathway to homeownership for households earning an average of $25,000 annually. Additionally, the program revenue generated from the West Edge Condominiums was reinvested into the Willow Springs development—24 shared equity townhomes that will maintain long-term affordability through a community land trust model.
HRDC’s broader housing efforts during this period also included the Bozeman Peak Condominiums, supported by funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, contributing to the recovery of the local economy. These investments have had a lasting impact by supporting the creation of permanent community assets that continue to provide affordable housing solutions today.
In 2011, HRDC opened the Warming Center in Bozeman in partnership with the Greater Gallatin Homeless Action Coalition (GGHAC). This initiative aimed to address the immediate need for emergency shelter during the colder months, providing a safe, warm place to sleep for individuals at risk of exposure. The community rallied together, raising $32,000 to house the Warming Center at the fairgrounds, ensuring that those in need had a place to seek refuge from the elements.
The Warming Center's establishment marked a significant step in HRDC's commitment to supporting the homeless population in the Gallatin Valley. As the housing crisis has escalated over the years, so too has the need for emergency shelter. In its first year, the Warming Center sheltered an average of 17 guests per night, serving 74 individuals. By 2024, the average nightly count has grown to 100 guests, with over 1,000 people served annually. By offering a low-barrier shelter, the center became a vital resource for individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them with warmth, safety, and a sense of community during the harsh winter months.
On February 2, 2011, HRDC dedicated its new Bus Barn facility—marking a major step forward for public transportation in Gallatin Valley. Built on land leased from the City of Bozeman for 99 years, the project was funded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Program and the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Previously, HRDC’s Galavan buses were parked outdoors, exposed to the elements, and operated from cramped quarters at the Senior Center. With the Bus Barn, HRDC gained secure, climate-controlled storage for its fleet, extending the life of its vehicles and allowing for future service expansion.
This long-term partnership with the City of Bozeman laid the groundwork for lasting public benefit. The Bus Barn stands as a successful example of how collaboration between local government and community organizations can enhance public services and build capacity for future growth.
In 2012, HRDC opened the Community Café in the former Frontier Pies building on North 7th Avenue, creating Montana’s first pay-what-you-can restaurant. The Café emerged in response to a 35% increase in emergency food box requests between 2008 and 2011, offering a more sustainable and dignified way to meet hunger needs in the community. Backed by strong support from the faith-based community and a lead gift from Bozeman United Methodist Church, the Café served 5,962 meals in its first 100 days—powered by an average of 700 volunteer hours each month.
Not a soup kitchen, the Café redefined how meals are shared—welcoming all and allowing each guest to contribute what they could, and an opportunity to pay it forward for those who could. Over time, the effort evolved into a broader social enterprise initiative that includes catering services, kitchen rentals, a Take & Bake program, and The Mighty Spork, a pay-what-you-can food truck. In 2017, the Café was rebranded as Fork & Spoon, continuing its mission to serve nourishing meals with dignity.
In 2014, HRDC was featured as one of only two case studies in the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services policy brief, The Intersection of Rural Poverty and Federal Human Services Programs. Following a site visit in 2013, the Committee highlighted HRDC’s work as a model for how strong, community-based anchor organizations can effectively coordinate services and address rural poverty. The brief underscored the systemic barriers rural communities face—including geographic isolation and fragmented funding streams—and positioned HRDC’s approach as a promising practice for federal policymakers to consider replicating elsewhere.
HRDC’s inclusion emphasized its success in destigmatizing social services, bridging programmatic silos, and leveraging community assets through entrepreneurial strategies. Supported by Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding, HRDC’s ability to streamline access to multiple services within a cohesive safety net demonstrated how rural organizations can create long-term, community-led solutions to poverty. This national recognition helped validate and amplify HRDC’s innovative model on a broader stage.
In 2015, HRDC launched Blueprint, Gallatin Valley’s first program dedicated to supporting unaccompanied minors and young adults experiencing homelessness. The idea for Blueprint emerged from HRDC’s workforce and foster youth programming, which revealed that more than half of enrolled young people had experienced homelessness or were couch-surfing without a safe place to call home. Recognizing a critical gap in services for youth who didn’t require intensive therapeutic care but still needed stable housing and support, HRDC designed an innovative, youth-centered model that emphasized independence, choice, and belonging.
Blueprint created a much-needed independent living home, tailored specifically for transition-aged youth and unaccompanied minors. The program has since empowered over 200 young people to pursue education, employment, and long-term housing goals in a safe and supportive environment. With key partnerships including BSD7, HAVEN, Bridgercare, and MSU, Blueprint continues to evolve, meeting youth where they are and helping them chart their own course toward stability and success.
HRDC’s entry into the Big Sky housing landscape began with a three-phased housing report and feasibility study in 1996. This resurfaced with a community-led ideas exchange hosted by the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce in 2013. The exchange sparked a larger conversation around housing as a vital economic development tool, especially in a resort community grappling with a growing workforce and a severe lack of affordable homes. HRDC stepped in to help lead a comprehensive needs assessment, laying the foundation for the Meadowview Condominiums, Big Sky’s first permanently affordable homeownership development, made possible through a novel land trust model.
With support from partners like Gallatin Partners Inc., First Security Bank, Big Sky Resort Area District, and many local leaders, HRDC took on substantial risk to develop 52 homes that remain permanently affordable today. This effort not only provided a lifeline for working families in Big Sky, it also led to the creation of the Big Sky Community Housing Trust (BSCHT), a dedicated nonprofit that has since grown into a leading force for housing solutions in the region. HRDC’s bold approach set a precedent for using land trusts in Montana and helped spark similar coalition work in other communities.
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for services escalated rapidly. HRDC swiftly adapted and reinvented its operations to continue supporting vulnerable community members.
Our three food banks quickly transitioned to drive-through models, and our Fork & Spoon restaurant converted to a take-out model and created the Mighty Spork Food Truck to get meals out to communities who needed additional food support. Our child care centers quickly learned to offer virtual learning to maintain and support progress in kindergarten preparedness. Additionally, HRDC purchased a local hotel to provide shelter during the duration of the stay-at-home order and then for high risk populations until vaccinations were readily available. Our public transportation services remained operational, which was key to our essential workers getting to work across the community.
To meet the financial strain caused by job losses and business closures, HRDC expanded its emergency assistance programs, offering rent and utility support to prevent eviction and homelessness. Despite the challenges, HRDC's resilience and proactive approach enabled the organization to continue serving the residents and communities across its service area and ensuring the well-being of its most vulnerable members. The pandemic was transformational in creating a new level of need across Southwest Montana and was initially met with a corresponding level of support for programming. However, the effects are still deeply felt across the organization, as the demand for services continues to far exceed the resources available in every program and impact area.
In November 2021, HRDC opened Housing First Village (HFV), a community of 19 tiny homes created for people experiencing chronic homelessness—those who have often cycled through shelters, jails, or emergency rooms without ever finding stability. HFV is grounded in the Housing First model, which recognizes that safe, permanent housing is not a reward for recovery, but the foundation from which recovery becomes possible. The Village offers low-barrier housing alongside voluntary, trauma-informed services that support residents’ health, well-being, and goals for the future.
Developed in partnership with the Urban Institute, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, and funded in part by a Fannie Mae Innovation Challenge Grant, HFV is a national pilot demonstrating the power of tiny homes as permanent supportive housing. The results are clear: in just six months, the program saw a $382,000 reduction in healthcare strain. Emergency room visits decreased by 40%, jail bookings decreased by 45%, and both preventative and behavioral health access increased dramatically.
HFV’s design also centers around dignity and community. Residents participate in a governing council that helps shape day-to-day life and decision-making, reinforcing the principle that people are not only housed—they are valued. HFV continues to serve as a model for communities across the state and country seeking meaningful solutions to chronic homelessness.
When HRDC purchased five acres off Griffin Drive in 2018, we envisioned a space that could bring our services—and our community—together in one location. With facilities stretched beyond capacity and a growing population to serve, HRDC set out to build something bold: a campus that could meet basic needs, foster connection, and adapt over time. After years of planning, design, and collaboration with local partners, Market Place—the flagship building of HRDC’s Community Commons—opened in December 2023. It now houses the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Fork & Spoon, and the full range of HRDC programs, including housing, energy assistance, early childhood education, and services tailored for both youth and seniors.
This was HRDC’s first capital campaign, and it surpassed all expectations—raising over $20 million, almost triple what consultants projected was possible, and generating key investments from local government, New Market Tax Credits, and the business community. Foundation partners also played a key role, with leading investments from the Kendeda Fund, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, Otto Bremer Trust, Arthur M Blank Foundation. Hundreds of dozens of generous individuals also helped bring the project to life.
Sited on Bozeman’s north side, both Market Place and Homeward Point were designed for flexibility and future growth, ensuring they will serve our region for decades to come. As we prepare for the opening of Homeward Point in 2025, the Community Commons campus stands as a testament to what’s possible when we invest in the well-being of our neighbors and build for the long term.
