HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-20 Public Comment - D. Jamison - GGUW Letter of Support for HRDC's SUP applicationsFrom:Danica Jamison
To:Agenda
Subject:GGUW / Danica Jamison"s Letter of Support for HRDC"s SUP applications
Date:Sunday, June 7, 2020 5:47:51 PM
Attachments:GGUW Letter of Support for HRDC SUP Applications 060520.pdf
Dear Commissioners,
On behalf of Greater Gallatin United Way, I write to offer our organization’s strong support of
HRDC’s application for a special use permit (number 20145) for emergency shelter at 2015Wheat Drive and for a special use permit (number 20116) for two additional Blueprint Youth
homes on N. 15th.
For many years, our organization has provided funding and advocacy support for HRDC andother organizations who serve our neighbors, family members, and community members
experiencing homelessness in our community. We have for a long time known about thehousing hardships that those experiencing a crisis have faced in our area – whether the crisis
was due to an economic crisis, behavioral health or safety / domestic violence / survival crisis.
During the coronavirus pandemic when the Governor mandated all to shelter-in-place, deepdisparities were revealed even further. While many of us settled as best we could into the
stay-at-home-all-the-time routine, a family with small children was forced to shelter in theircar with no relief of places like the mall, library, preschool or playgrounds for them to find
space and room to move, to play.
Additional people were sheltering in tents with the snow coming down and cold windsblowing in early April. I saw people trying to sleep on the sidewalk downtown and in the
bushes of a nearby park, attempting to dry out damp sleeping bags in the trees during the day. There were many nights, thinking about people out in the cold or in their cars, unable to stay
safe, that many of us could not sleep well, out of concern for their wellbeing.
The Saturday night in April when HRDC was able to secure non-congregate shelter with 59rooms, was the first night I slept soundly through the night since the shelter-in-place mandate
began. When we attune to the humanity of every person in our community, compassion arisesand we cannot rest easy until we’ve done all we can to take care of each and every one. We
are interrelated this way.
And we have not done all that we can. We can do better.
It is time for our community to offer year-round, 24/7 shelter options – both congregate andnon-congregate. The special use application for additional Blueprint Program housing that
HRDC is requesting will provide an expansion of critical, wraparound services for youngpeople who are experiencing homelessness and help them find their way to stability and a new
life. The Wheat Drive shelter will provide the opportunity for our community to expandemergency shelter space for the needs of the hardest hit among us within the growing
population of our area.
We are pleased and grateful to hear of the support the City has already provided whileworking with HRDC to provide funding and to be attentive and supportive during the
application and permitting processes of past and current housing projects.
Thank you.
The need for a strong infrastructure of a variety of emergency shelter options is so great, thatwe wish to express to our City Commissioners and staff that it feels appropriate for the City to
provide even more support… as much as you are able in the coming weeks, months andyears.
Within one month of non-congregate, 24/7 emergency shelter at a hotel with wrap-around
supports, the amazing staff of HRDC were able to work with each of the guests, and more than30% of the guests (20+) were placed in permanent or non-emergency housing by the end of
the month. This is an incredible testament to the power of a facility - in which guests are ableto have the safety, privacy, and comfort of their own four walls (with access to sanitation)
combined with case management services to help them get back on their feet. 24/7/365 shelterreduces trauma and is more cost effective as well.
Let none of us rest too easy until we have enough safe sheltering options available in our
community to take care of our homeless neighbors and family members who are experiencingthe most trauma and suffering. We desperately need this infrastructure to give every member
of our community the basic human right, dignity, and support they deserve. Together let ushelp make homelessness rare, brief and a one-time experience for men, women, and children.
Please approve SUP application numbers 20145 and 20116 and continue to provide flexibility
where possible in all City policies and procedures and as much funding as you are able tosecure - for these and other upcoming emergency housing infrastructure projects.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Danica Jamison
Danica Jamison | President and CEO | Greater Gallatin United Way
406.451.1343 cell | danica@greatergallatinunitedway.org
www.GreaterGallatinUnitedWay.org
Mission: To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities
945 Technology Blvd., Suite 101F
Bozeman, MT 59718
Tel 406.587.2194
greatergallatinunitedway.org
Greater Gallatin United Way
June 5, 2020
Dear Commissioners,
On behalf of Greater Gallatin United Way, I write to offer our organization’s strong
support of HRDC’s application for a special use permit (number 20145) for emergency
shelter at 2015 Wheat Drive and for a special use permit (number 20116) for two
additional Blueprint Youth homes on N. 15th.
For many years, our organization has provided funding and advocacy support for
HRDC and other organizations who serve our neighbors, family members, and
community members experiencing homelessness in our community. We have for a
long time known about the housing hardships that those experiencing a crisis have
faced in our area – whether the crisis was due to an economic crisis, behavioral health
or safety / domestic violence / survival crisis.
During the coronavirus pandemic when the Governor mandated all to shelter-in-place,
deep disparities were revealed even further. While many of us settled as best we could
into the stay-at-home-all-the-time routine, a family with small children was forced to
shelter in their car with no relief of places like the mall, library, preschool or
playgrounds for them to find space and room to move, to play. Additional people
were sheltering in tents with the snow coming down and cold winds blowing in early
April. I saw people trying to sleep on the sidewalk downtown and in the bushes of a
nearby park, attempting to dry out damp sleeping bags in the trees during the day.
There were many nights, thinking about people out in the cold or in their cars, unable
to stay safe, that many of us could not sleep well, out of concern for their wellbeing.
The Saturday night in April when HRDC was able to secure non-congregate shelter
with 59 rooms, was the first night I slept soundly through the night since the shelter-in-
place mandate began. When we attune to the humanity of every person in our
community, compassion arises and we cannot rest easy until we’ve done all we can to
take care of each and every one. We are interrelated this way.
And we have not done all that we can. We can do better.
It is time for our community to offer year-round, 24/7 shelter options – both
congregate and non-congregate. The special use application for additional Blueprint
Program housing that HRDC is requesting will provide an expansion of critical,
wraparound services for young people who are experiencing homelessness and help
them find their way to stability and a new life. The Wheat Drive shelter will provide
Board of Directors
Chair of the Board
Shannon O’Hare, Stockman Bank Vice Chair Patricia McKernan, Microbion Corp. Treasurer
Randi Gregg, Rudd & Co. Secretary
Joe Cleveland, US Bank
Past Chair
Scott Holton, Rudd & Co. Doug Babcock, Professional Financial Management Roland Bachmann,
GCC Trident Canaan Bontadelli,
Coffman Engineers
Joe Cleveland, US Bank Linda Gale, NorthWestern Energy John Hill,
Bozeman Health Amy Kanuch,
Montana State University
Matt Kelley, Gallatin City-County Health Dept. Steve Schmidt, Hope Lutheran Church Cindy Sease,
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Kurt Thomson,
Stahly Engineering & Assoc.
Kathy Wilkerson Retired STAFF President & CEO
Danica Jamison
Director of Donor Engagement
Sylvia Drain
Community Engagement Coordinator Tia Goebel Data Systems Manager
D’Arcy White Finance Director
Dusty Trihub
Director of kidsLINK Afterschool
Program
Karen DeCotis
Child Success Coordinator Sarah Krumm VISTA for Early Childhood Laurie Berg Behavioral Health Consultant Contract
Ellie Martin, Routefinder Consulting
Mental Health Awareness Campaign
Coordinator
Kevin Bueling
VISTA for The Resilience Project Rob Warden
EIN: 81-0384820
Mission: To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities
945 Technology Blvd., Suite 101F
Bozeman, MT 59718
Tel 406.587.2194
greatergallatinunitedway.org
Greater Gallatin United Way
the opportunity for our community to expand emergency shelter space for the needs of the
hardest hit among us within the growing population of our area.
We are pleased and grateful to hear of the support the City has already provided while working
with HRDC to provide funding and to be attentive and supportive during the application and
permitting processes of past and current housing projects.
Thank you.
The need for a strong infrastructure of a variety of emergency shelter options is so great, that we
wish to express to our City Commissioners and staff that it feels appropriate for the City to
provide even more support… as much as you are able in the coming weeks, months and years.
Within one month of non-congregate, 24/7 emergency shelter at a hotel with wrap-around
supports, the amazing staff of HRDC were able to work with each of the guests, and more than
30% of the guests (20+) were placed in permanent or non-emergency housing by the end of the
month. This is an incredible testament to the power of a facility - in which guests are able to
have the safety, privacy, and comfort of their own four walls (with access to sanitation)
combined with case management services to help them get back on their feet. 24/7/365 shelter
reduces trauma and is more cost effective as well.
Let none of us rest too easy until we have enough safe sheltering options available in our
community to take care of our homeless neighbors and family members who are experiencing
the most trauma and suffering. We desperately need this infrastructure to give every member of
our community the basic human right, dignity, and support they deserve. Together let us help
make homelessness rare, brief and a one-time experience for men, women, and children.
Please approve SUP application numbers 20145 and 20116 and continue to provide flexibility
where possible in all City policies and procedures and as much funding as you are able to secure
- for these and other upcoming emergency housing infrastructure projects.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Danica Jamison