HELENA
HOUSING CONTINUUM
Like many communities across Montana in recent years, Helena has experienced an unprecedented increase in housing costs and influx of people. This has resulted in the displacement of many members of the Helena community. During the most recent “Point in Time Survey” by the United Way (January 2023) counted 164 people experiencing homelessness in the Helena area, this was a 13% increase since 2022.
As a City Commissioner, I frequently get questions and comments regarding our community’s housing crisis. Opinions vary widely about the issue, its causes, how best to address it, and where resources should go. I believe that solutions will require the collaboration of multiple partners and experts on multiple fronts to address the needs of diverse individuals and populations. Such solutions could include additional emergency shelter beds and facility, low-income housing vouchers (higher dollar amount), transitional housing facilities, additional affordable housing units, mental healthcare, substance abuse healthcare, educational opportunities, and childcare, to name a few. All of these needs are considered with the realities of finite money, limited capacity and staff resources, and private property rights.
This is a big, complex, and ongoing issue. Based on my conversations, people from around the community are coming to this issue with varying levels of understanding and diverse perspectives. This working landing page is my attempt to consolidate locally relevant information and resources regarding housing in Helena.
Tools from the City of Helena To Date
Affordable Housing Trust Fund - invested $2.1 million in fund since 2020, ~$1 million requested thus far
Housing Navigator - $30,000 per year for a staff position to support Good Samaritan Housing Navigation program
Zoning Updates The City has eliminated many zoning barriers to accommodate higher density zoning including accessory dwelling units, multi-family housing, rezoning, etc.
Emergency Housing Working Group - This partnership with local non-profit partners was created to identify and execute solutions to address emergency shelter needs in the Helena area.
Housing Development - The City of Helena has approved 1,574 housing units since 2021. We have created a Housing Development GIS map to illustrate housing project status and unit type.
Community Development Block Grants (successful City applications since 2020)
Center for Mental Health (construction of a group home for young men with mental illness) - $450,000
Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Housing Project (PAR/feasibility study) - $40,000
Housing Rehab RLF (small scale single family housing rehab grant) - $250,000
YWCA Renovations (YWCA Helena CARES Act funded/pandemic related renovations) - $607,000
Neighborhood Center PAR (Rocky Mountain Development Foundation feasibility PAR) - $26,000
Helena Food Share - $750,000
Urban Renewal and Tax Increment Financing Districts (URD/TIF district funds can be used to address blight and address housing needs)
Downtown TIF District - ~$350,000 available
Railroad TIF District - ~$350,000 available
Capital Hill Mall TIF District - ~$360,000 available
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Investments
Our Redeemer’s Housing Project (Rocky Mountain Development Council, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church) - $1.58 million
Helena Food Share Community Food Resource Center - $250,000
Family Promise Client Services/Emergency Shelter - $250,000
Good Samaritan Ministries Day Shelter - $134,600
Business Improvement District (BID) Downtown Restroom - $98,000
Kay’s Kids (child summer day camp) - $50,000
Contingency funding for emergency housing solutions (specific use being identified by Emergency Housing Working Group) - $100,000 (available for allocation)
Emergency Housing Working Group
I am very grateful to all members of this Emergency Housing Working Group who have provided expert insights and recommendations including chair Jeff Buscher and Emily McVey of United Way, Theresa Ortega of Good Sam’s/Our Place, Michael O’Neil of Helena Housing Authority, City Community Development, Building, and Fire Department staff, among many others.
In August of 2023, the City Commission requested that City staff coordinate a meeting with local nonprofits and other partners to discuss gaps in support for unhoused community members. Out of this discussion a group of nonprofits formed the Emergency Housing Working Group. The City of Helena has been providing a meeting location and technical support for the Working Group to find solutions to provide emergency housing for the unhoused during the winter months. City and County staff have been in attendance at the working group meetings to provide support and special subject expertise. The Working Group has had discussions on possible locations for winter shelter.
This Working Group is part of an ongoing larger discussion about finding near and long term solutions to provide permanent and stable emergency shelter. All information and recordings can be found at Helenamt.gov.
Current Solutions on the Table for Immediate Emergency and Transitional Housing Needs
The Helena City Commission received an update memo from the City in prior to the October 25 Administrative Meeting.
TOP LINE ACTION ITEMS FROM GROUP
Immediately: Utilize Our Place for an emergency low-barrier shelter for 2023/2024 winter season.
Near Term: Submit Department of Commerce Emergency Shelter Facility Grant Program to help fund long-term emergency shelter facility needs.
Near Term (pending owner approval, etc.): Work with St. John’s property owners to utilize HUD housing vouchers via Helena Housing Authority for 12 month lease of former nursing home rooms.
A few sections of note in the memo:
“The Working Group has discussed a variety of short-term and long-term ideas related to options for members of the community who are unhoused. The consensus from the October 19, 2023 meeting is to move forward with the group supporting the use of the building currently housing Our Place, run by Good Samaritan Ministries, for this winter. The building is located at 631 North Last Chance Gulch, with additional nearby service providers. The building has sprinklers and a fire alarm system in place for safety and may require minimal upgrades for temporary use this winter. There are specific details regarding the approved use of the building, which portion of the building will be used for winter, and the approval of the Good Samaritan Ministries Board. Theresa Ortega, Executive Director at Good Samaritan Ministries, will be working with the building owner and the City on the conditional use permit (CUP) process.”
“Michael O’Neil, Executive Director at Helena Housing Authority, provided information about possible options for flexibility with HUD housing vouchers in the event there is a location that can meet the requirements for usage. The current owners of the former Rocky Care Center at the St. John’s property are being contacted by United Way regarding the possibility of leases for individuals with housing vouchers that can accommodate transitional housing needs for longer periods of time. Updates will be provided once a response is received from the current building owners on this longer term option.”
Tent Idea Update: There have been a handful of questions from community members regarding the utilization of two 50-ft Army tents owned by the County for emergency shelter. During the October 25 City Commission Administrative meeting, Theresa Ortega of Good Sam’s and Jeff Buscher of United Way indicated that the fire safety of and operational support required for these tents are not currently feasible and the non-profit community feels time is better spent getting the Our Place emergency shelter for the 2023/2024 winter ready for use.
God’s Love Update: During the October 25 City Commission Administrative meeting, the Emergency Shelter Working Group members reported that God’s Love will not turn away any individual during snow fall or a cold snap. They indicated that if there is an individual who becomes “unruly” or dangerous, that the Helena Police Department will be called and no individual will be turned out in the night.
Location discussions have included:
Vacant City buildings (none identified)
Vacant County buildings (none identified)
Fairgrounds and Fairgrounds campground
Lumber yard building
Archery range
Faith communities
Emergency Shelter Facility Grant Program
The Montana Department of Commerce has opened applications for emergency sheltering through the Emergency Shelter Facility Grant Program which would allocate one project $750,000 to a non-profit in Lewis and Clark County. “The objective of the ESFG Program is to increase the inventory of and improve access to emergency shelter for the homeless “ United Way is coordinating an application on behalf of the area non-profits. The grant requires matching funds, which can include in-kind donations. This funding could potentially transition Our Place (managed by Good Sam’s) to an emergency shelter.
Our Place
Pawn shop
St. John’s building
Former Florence Crittenton building
Journey Home
Willis Cruse House
Hotel for sale
WHAT IS THE HOUSING CONTINUUM?
The “housing continuum” can be described as a range of housing options from emergency housing (like a shelter for those experiencing homelessness) to permanent housing (like long-term rentals or homeownership). The goal is to transition individuals through temporary housing to safe, permanent housing.
Emergency, transitional, and supportive housing are often paired with support services like healthcare, life skills, treatment, etc. These services are primarily provided by community non-profit partners. From my experience and observations, this nexus is the most important piece in connecting individuals with resources to successfully transition to safer and stable housing.
Photo credit: United Way of Olmsted County, Minnesota