For immediate release: Jan. 25, 2023
Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov
406-595-8963
Public-Private Partnership Raising $4.5 Million for HRDC’s Homeward Point
Local governments, banks and businesses across Gallatin County have come together to support the Homeward Point portion of HRDC’s Community Commons campus that will include space for people that are oriented toward home or on their way home, or in other words, in need of a temporary place to stay.
The Gallatin County Commission pledged $2.25 million from the county’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as a challenge grant to the county’s business community. Commissioners then worked with the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Bozeman, and First Security Bank President and CEO Jim Ness to challenge area businesses and organizations to match the contribution.
In just over a year, more than a dozen organizations have pledged $2.1 million and counting in matching funds, for a total of more than $4.35 million and counting toward Homeward Point. The groups are continuing to solicit donations from additional businesses with the goal of hitting $4.5 million.
“HRDC is excited to see collaborative partners leaning into this community problem and stepping up to support on the ground solutions,” said Heather Grenier, HRDC President/CEO. “While shelter is not the answer, it is a necessary landing spot to make space for working towards the solution, which includes housing that is affordable to the individuals and families that power this community. Together, we can facilitate change, save the lives of somebody’s brother, aunt, father, or grandfather, and create lasting solutions that contribute to better outcomes for everyone in our community.”
“Houselessness and urban camping is a wicked problem facing our community, and most others across the country,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “It is an emotionally charged issue for many with no simple solutions. However, this process of turning tough conversations and conflict into a tangible partnership has given me hope. This partnership makes me proud to live in the Gallatin Valley, and the Gallatin County Commission is so grateful to the members of the business community who met our challenge to take a step forward as a community.”
Contributors of funds include:
- Gallatin County
- City of Bozeman
- Gallatin Valley Tourism Improvement Business District
- Lone Mountain Land Company
- Bozeman Health
- Gallatin Association of Realtors
- First Interstate Bank
- First Security Bank
- Town Pump Foundation
- Stockman Bank
- American Bank
- Opportunity Bank
- Bank of Bozeman
- Montana Title & Escrow
- Rockin’ R Bar
- Kimpton Armory Bozeman
- Off The Beaten Path
- Security Title
“Building a solid foundation for all housing must begin with putting a hand out to those who may have run into a hard time in their lives and need help getting back on their feet,” said Daryl Schliem, Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce CEO. “Completing the funding match not only gives us a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year Homeward Point for assisting those in need, but also builds a solid foundation to continue public-private partnerships to tackle other issues our community faces.”
“I am so thankful to be part of a community that recognizes problems we are collectively facing, and works together to solve them,” said Jim Ness, First Security Bank President and CEO. “We can accomplish so much more when we work together and collaborate. I want to thank the Gallatin County commissioners for recognizing the need and providing this matching grant, the City of Bozeman for their contribution, and to our wonderful business community for rising up to the challenge with their contributions. I am truly humbled and proud to be a part of this effort to address homelessness in our community.”
To learn more about or donate to the Community Commons project, please visit thehrdc.org/community-commons/.
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