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Bozeman, Montana’s The Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) incorporates new approach to housing for the homeless using trauma-informed design
Across the US, as elsewhere, housing costs are shooting up. Increasingly, people find themselves unable to pay rent, despite in many cases working two or more jobs. In Bozeman, Montana, one non-profit has developed a unique approach to the housing affordability crunch. The Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) has turned to tiny houses in an effort to help the chronically unhoused find accommodation. But the really unique aspect of this project is the way that it embraces trauma-informed designed.
HDRC applies a housing-first model to homelessness, but at the same time, the Housing First Village is designed to help relieve the stresses and anxiety that affect homeless individuals. There are currently 12 homes on the site, with another seven planned for construction in 2022. HRDC also plans to offer guidance for other agencies on how to find land for similar projects and how to arrange financing. However, HRDC also acknowledges that tiny homes are just a small part of what needs to be a larger solution. Menuez says that, “We need to add thousands more units in order to really ensure that we don’t have people experiencing homelessness in the community. But I think tiny homes will continue to be a part of that solution, along with every other kind of housing.”
by: Keely Khoury
