Community Networking on Homelessness

RMDC participates in a variety of community efforts to reduce and prevent homelessness in Broadwater, Jefferson, and Lewis & Clark Counties.

Helena Action Coalition on Homelessness (HATCH)

RMDC is a collaborative member of HATCH.  HATCH brings concerned agencies, government entities, business, and citizens together to address the issue of homelessness locally. HATCH supports public awareness and education about homelessness in the Helena community and works to strengthen local efforts to address the causes and impacts of homelessness.  HATCH also serves as the local Continuum of Care committee which is a necessary component of a community’s ability to access certain types of housing funds through of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Point in Time Survey of Homelessness

RMDC is the lead agency for the annual Point in Time Survey of Homelessness in Broadwater, Jefferson, and Lewis & Clark Counties. This effort is part of a national survey conducted the last week of January, which gives communities a moment in time picture of homelessness in their area. The survey is a collaborative effort undertaken by service agencies and individuals to reach as much of the community as possible. The data collected is used throughout the year by local communities for grant writing and advocacy and is a key component of the Continuum of Care activity locally and at the state level. RMDC is particuarly active in statewide efforts to obtain an accurate count of homeless veterans.

View the 2011 Point in Time Survey Results

Community Memorial and Awareness Events

RMDC participates in a variety of events that are designed encourage the community to recognize and address the breadth of homelessness in our area. Those include the December 22 – Longest Night of the Year event to remember those who died during the previous year as a result of homelessness or conditions related to homelessness and the September Way Home Community Access Fair and Stand Down, which individuals facing homelessness a “one-stop shop” source of assistance information.

Family Promise

Through HATCH, RMDC supports  Family Promise of Greater Helena. Family Promise is an interfaith hospitality network that brings congregations of multiple faiths together to house homeless families with children. Congregations take turns providing breakfast, lunch, and a place to sleep for families for a week at a time. During the day families operate out of a day center which gives them a home-like environment in which to work with a case manager to find permanent housing and employment and ensure children are enrolled in school.

For additional information through RMDC on area homelessness efforts, call 447-1680.