BOZEMAN — HRDC is actively seeking input from residents in Gallatin, Park and Meagher Counties to help inform future initiatives that support community needs across southwest Montana.  

Heather Grenier, HRDC’s CEO, explained the crucial nature of its Community Needs Assessment as it relates to its mission of building better communities. “This survey is one of the most important initiatives we undertake as an agency. Every three years, we reach out to everyone, regardless of circumstance, in all the communities we support to build an in-depth understanding of our communities’ most pressing needs.”

Grenier continued, “Our neighbors have always been so helpful to us in this process. The level of detail we receive paints a thorough picture of the intricacies and challenges that are present. Once we receive the survey data, our Board and our staff can begin our assessment which ultimately helps us originate supportive programs that address the realities many members of our community face. These surveys inform our work for the next three years and are at the very core of our operational model.”

Current HRDC programming is directly tied to the paradigm caused by the lack of affordable housing in our region that is coupled with a much higher-than-average cost of living and lower- than-average wages. HRDC is seeking deeper insight into the specific impacts households are experiencing resulting from this economic situation along with what these impacts could mean for the future of our community structure.

The 2022 Community Needs Assessment is open to everyone through October 31st and can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F8GV5T6.

HRDC is a private, not-for-profit Community Action Agency focused on building a better community through nearly 50 different initiatives aimed at combating poverty in southwestern Montana.