Montana Hit's An All Time High With Top National Ranking

As you drive around different towns in Montana you will notice they have one thing in common with each other...and I am not talking about mountains.

Almost weekly we hear about the homeless problem we have throughout Montana and according to MSN News, the number of unsheltered individuals is so high, the increase actually leads the nation.

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In 2023, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness is lower than it is today. Keep in mind, there are less than 1.2 million people in the entire state.

Huduser.gov

Estimates of people in families with children experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to Huduser.gov, was nearly 500 for Montana.

Huduser.gov

The number of unaccompanied minors experiencing homelessness in Montana may not seem that high with an estimate of 183, but these are essentially children by themselves.

Huduser.gov

Between 2007 and 2023, it is reported that Montana saw a 551% increase in unsheltered individuals. Sadly, Montana was one of only four states with an increase in homeless veterans.

In 2022, over 30% of people in Montana's homeless shelters reported a mental health and/or substance use disorder. This can be extremely dangerous for shelter staff, especially considering most shelters throughout the state share that their capacity numbers are near full every night, with some having to find other placement options due to meeting capacity.

The number of senior in Montana that are experiencing homelessness is at an all time high, with an estimated 145. The HRDC helps individuals, families, and seniors who are struggling with homelessness.

It is often a stereotype that "all homeless people are jobless". The fact of the matter is that there are people with and without homes that are jobless. Bozeman, specifically, is incredibly expensive and saving enough money for first months rent and deposit is difficult for many. To obtain enough sustainable income to afford an apartment alone is extremely difficult, especially if you are on social security, where your income is capped.

To learn more about what you can do if you are experiencing homelessness, or to help our state fight homelessness, contact The HRDC or your local advocate.

THE HRDC

cc: MSN News, Huduser.gov

These 25 Children Are Missing in March in Montana

These children have been reported missing across the state of Montana for March 2024. If you have seen any individual shown, please contact the Missing Persons Division at the Montana Department of Justice here, or you can contact your local law enforcement agency.

Gallery Credit: JD Knight

Beautiful Montana Cabin For Under $300k? Yep, But There's A Catch

This cute cabin set in the highly desired Hyalite Canyon is listed at $243,000 is a steal of a deal, BUT it does have some stipulations. This remote cabin is a Forest Service cabin and has apparently been standing strong since the early 1900s and is rumored to have been built as a retreat for nurses in 1911.

You will find that this cabin comes with power, phone service, gravity-fed spring water, AND a strongly built outhouse.

So what are the kickers? Unfortunately, Forest Service Residents CAN NOT be full-time. So what does that mean? Basically, you can live here part-time even though you would own the home. You can not make a profit off the house, either personally or commercially, so for the time you are not living there, you also can not rent it out and make some extra income off of it.

There is no financing available for this purchase, as the cabin doesn't qualify for it, you must be a cash buyer.

Lastly, you must be able to obtain an "FS Special Use Permit". This is required because, although you would own the cabin, you WOULD NOT own the land the cabin is on. The land will still belong to the USFS.

Gallery Credit: megan shaul