Founded in 1975, the Human Resource Development Council is a non-profit community action agency. The HRDC serves Gallatin, Park and Meagher Counties. Each county encompasses approximately 2,500 square miles. The area served by the Council is bordered on the west by the headwaters of the Missouri River and to the south by Yellowstone National Park. To the east and north begin the expanding valleys of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. Historically the area’s economy has been based on farming, ranching and the extraction and processing of natural resources. The past 20 years, however, have evidenced a significant shift to tourism and related services.
How it began:
The State Office of Economic Opportunity (SOEO) was committed to expanding services of HRDCs state-wide and began working with Sociology Department of MSU to prepare a situation statement which out lined the needs in the area. Thanks to George Galinken and Del Samson some resources were identified to do that work. Rodger Ala, who had been a VISTA volunteer in Boulder moved to Bozeman and headed up a team of young volunteers to finish the situation statement. The statement was sent to the regional federal Community Services Administration (CSA) office as a request for funds.
In May 1975 the first CSA grant to expand HRDC services was made to the newly incorporated District IX, HRDC. The grant was a minimal $40,000 but allowed the HRDC to move from borrowed office space at MSU to the first HRDC office on Main Street in Bozeman.
The first programs administered by the HRDC were Youth Employment, Weatherization, Migrant Workers, RSVP and a child care Program called 4-C’s. When the initial services are compared to the number of services offered today you see that the HRDC has become a full-fledged human and community development corporation which exemplifies the very best of the original Economic Opportunity.
Prior to 1975 there were only seven HRDCs and they did not cover the entire state. Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties received very limited services for low income people. Those services were administered through the Helena HRDC. There was no agency committed solely to the residents of our community.
1982-
The Gallatin Valley Food Bank was established.
1982-
HRDC began administering the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program for Gallatin, Park, and Meagher Counties.
1983-
Galavan become a part of the HRDC providing transportation to handicapped elderly and disabled residents.
1986-
To address the needs or our senior residents Case Management services and Headwaters Home Health was established.
1989-
Micro Finance Program was developed.
1991-
The Head Start Program became part of the HRDC. Head Start gave educational opportunities to preschool age children.
1995-
Resource Property Management was established to mange the affordable housing units developed by the HRDC.
1995-
Affiliation with LISC
Local Initiative Support Corporation
1996-
Livingston Land Trust was established to provide affordable home ownership in Park County.
1998-1999-
Preservation of subsidized housing complexes in Gallatin and Park Counties
2004
Road to Home was introduced to the local community. This HRDC program offers families first-time homebuyer instruction and down payment assistance.
2006 Streamline Transit
The first day of public transportation by Streamline buses was August 21, 2006. Streamline provided 121 rides that day and 87 the next day (Aug 22). In January, February and March of 2009 there were days that exceeded 1,000 rides.
2009 Home to Stay Launched
HRDC reorganizes the delivery of emergency services to families experiencing a housing crisis. Home to Stay offers homeless prevention counseling, financial assistance to prevent eviction, first month rent and a case manger to help customers navigate through the multitude of programs and services available within the agency and community.
2010 West Edge Condominiums The West Edge Condominiums is an affordable home ownership opportunity offered by the HRDC. Our goal is to make homeownership affordable and sustainable by keeping the housing payment at approximately 30% of gross monthly income. Financing options are available to those who qualify.
Building History
Bozeman’s first federal building and post office was dedicated to the community in 1915. On October 17, 2001 the building was rededicated to the community as the permanent home of HRDC. Constructed in 1915, this building served as Bozeman’s first Federal Building and Post Office until the mid 1960′s when it was used as the National Guard Armory. Following the relocation of the Armory, the building was vacant for several years, although briefly revived for filming sequences in Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It.” A carriage house was built in the back of the office prior to the move in. The carriage house offers two transitional apartments for families in homeless situations. The families remain in the apartments until permanent and affordable housing can be secured.
