Housing Development Projects
City staff are dedicated to fostering innovation and bringing new ideas to impact homelessness to the Billings area. Funding raised to support local service organizations to develop innovative housing projects totals $800,000. All funding generated is offered in open, competitive, and advertised Request for Proposals processes to ensure equal opportunity.
Overview: In October 2008, the City of Billings released a Request for Proposals to develop new housing to serve those experiencing homelessness utilizing a Housing First philosophy of management and housing provision. Recognized as a national best practice, the Housing First approach to homelessness stresses the importance of providing housing placement to immediately end homelessness. Studies have shown that homeless individuals and families are more responsive to social service interventions following housing placement, after the crisis of homelessness has been ended.
Award: A total of $500,000 was awarded to Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley, formerly known as Interfaith Hospitality Network. Two duplex apartment properties were acquired and rehabilitated resulting in a total of four rental units serving homeless families. The project is located within walking distance of amenities including markets, retail stores and specialized medical services and is located along a public transportation bus route. For additional information on Family Promise, please visit the following website: www.billingsihn.org.
Funding Sources: Partial funding for the project was awarded to the City of Billings by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services as a result of a bonus received for high scoring in the Food Stamp program. Additional funding was awarded to the City through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiative program.
Billings Gazette Articles:
Overview: In August 2010, the City of Billings released a Request for Proposals to develop a combined housing / employment project for occupancy by individuals and / or families experiencing homelessness. Social Enterprise businesses apply market-based strategies to achieve a social purpose, maximizing business success. The intent of including this type of business in a housing project was to assist the homeless with workforce development to promote a positive, supportive employment experience.
Award: A total of $300,000 was awarded to Rimrock to acquire and rehabilitate a single-family home to house up to six men who have experienced chronic homelessness. In addition, equipment was purchased to support overall business concepts initially through a composting production facility and later in a landscaping business. The project is located near downtown Billings, within walking distance of health services, markets and retail stores and is accessible via public transportation. For additional information on Rimrock, please visit the following website: www.rimrock.org or call 406-248-3175.
Funding Source: Funding for the project was awarded to the City of Billings through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiative program.
Billings Gazette Articles:
Housing First Project - Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley
Overview: In October 2008, the City of Billings released a Request for Proposals to develop new housing to serve those experiencing homelessness utilizing a Housing First philosophy of management and housing provision. Recognized as a national best practice, the Housing First approach to homelessness stresses the importance of providing housing placement to immediately end homelessness. Studies have shown that homeless individuals and families are more responsive to social service interventions following housing placement, after the crisis of homelessness has been ended.
Award: A total of $500,000 was awarded to Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley, formerly known as Interfaith Hospitality Network. Two duplex apartment properties were acquired and rehabilitated resulting in a total of four rental units serving homeless families. The project is located within walking distance of amenities including markets, retail stores and specialized medical services and is located along a public transportation bus route. For additional information on Family Promise, please visit the following website: www.billingsihn.org.
Funding Sources: Partial funding for the project was awarded to the City of Billings by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services as a result of a bonus received for high scoring in the Food Stamp program. Additional funding was awarded to the City through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiative program.
Billings Gazette Articles:
- Gazette Opinion: Partnership works to end homelessness, December 2009
- City backs housing for homeless, August 2008
Business Consortium Project - Rimrock
Overview: In August 2010, the City of Billings released a Request for Proposals to develop a combined housing / employment project for occupancy by individuals and / or families experiencing homelessness. Social Enterprise businesses apply market-based strategies to achieve a social purpose, maximizing business success. The intent of including this type of business in a housing project was to assist the homeless with workforce development to promote a positive, supportive employment experience.
Award: A total of $300,000 was awarded to Rimrock to acquire and rehabilitate a single-family home to house up to six men who have experienced chronic homelessness. In addition, equipment was purchased to support overall business concepts initially through a composting production facility and later in a landscaping business. The project is located near downtown Billings, within walking distance of health services, markets and retail stores and is accessible via public transportation. For additional information on Rimrock, please visit the following website: www.rimrock.org or call 406-248-3175.
Funding Source: Funding for the project was awarded to the City of Billings through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiative program.
Billings Gazette Articles:
- A wider mission: Salvation Army, partners have big plans to attack poverty from the ground up, January 2011