Homelessness down in Bozeman for first time in years

Annual Count Points to Results of Regional Housing Strategy

BOZEMAN, Mont. — The number of people counted as experiencing homelessness in Bozeman fell 25% this year, from 523 to 394, the first decline in years and a sign that regional investments in housing, shelter and supportive services are making a difference.

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count provides a one-night snapshot of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness each January. Although it does not capture everyone experiencing homelessness or housing instability, communities use it to track trends and identify service and funding needs.

Local organizations point to several interconnected reasons for this year’s decline, including more housing, expanded shelter capacity, effective programming and stronger coordination among community partners.

“This progress is not a coincidence,” said HRDC President and CEO Heather Grenier. “It reflects years of partners building a more complete response to homelessness by expanding shelter capacity, strengthening programs and coordinated referrals, and increasing the supply of affordable homes. In 2024 alone, HRDC and the Regional Housing Coalition partners helped produce or preserve more than 750 affordable homes, with even more in the pipeline. Each part is essential: shelter provides immediate safety, services help people regain stability, and housing gives them a stable place to go next.”

The Gallatin Valley has also significantly expanded its emergency shelter capacity through three facilities that serve people from communities throughout the valley. HRDC’s Homeward Point, which opened last year, can shelter up to 130 people each night. Haven’s 40-bed campus opened in 2023 to support survivors of domestic violence and their pets, while Family Promise’s facility, also opened in 2023, can serve 100 families each year.

“We’ve been able to create a system of support that’s greater than the sum of its parts, thanks to all of us working together as we serve diverse populations and needs,” said Family Promise Executive Director Allison Bradac.

The impact extends beyond the number of available beds. Collaborative programming within these facilities helps people address barriers, connect with resources and move into permanent housing.

Coordinated referrals also help people access the right resources more quickly. “What’s new this year is that significantly more Haven participants who exited our emergency shelter exited into permanent, stable housing thanks to referrals to HRDC programs,” said Haven Executive Director Katie Madison.

In previous years, Madison said, participants sometimes remained in Haven’s shelter far longer than its typical stay because finding safe, affordable housing was their greatest barrier to leaving.

“No one organization can solve Bozeman’s housing issues,” said Bozeman Mayor Joey Morrison. “It takes people across different sectors and organizations all pushing in the same direction to have an impact, and we’re finally starting to see the results of those years of collaboration. We’ve made meaningful progress on shelter space and affordable housing, and it’s because we’ve been working together.”

Regional partners welcomed the decline as evidence that sustained investment and collaboration are making a difference—and emphasized the need to keep that progress going.

The PIT Count represents only one night and does not always capture everyone experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Local providers continue to see significant need, and housing remains out of reach for many households. This progress is the result of sustained investment in housing, shelter and supportive services, and preserving these hard-won gains will require that investment and collaboration continue.