Annual service numbers: 87% increase in nights at Haven’s shelter
The number of shelter bed nights – nights in Haven’s shelter – were up 87 percent from Haven’s previous fiscal year, our internal annual service numbers show.
Source: Haven internal service numbers.
Haven’s annual service numbers, released every August at the end of our July-to-July fiscal year, show other significant increases over last year, including:
a 14 percent increase in the number of survivors accessing legal advocacy (this past year was an all-time high at 401 survivors accessing this service) - for more on Haven’s legal advocacy click here
an 8 percent increase in the number of people contacting our 24-hour support line (calls only compared to last fiscal year)
The big increase in shelter bed nights has two simple explanations. One, more beds are available at The Barnard Center, which Haven opened last year specifically to increase our capacity to shelter survivors. (The Center’s current capacity is 18; Haven’s former shelter was 12.) This year’s data is the first full year of data that covers the new shelter and tracks with what we’d expected to see. Two, the increase shows the increased need for shelter beds as Bozeman’s population continues to grow.
The jump in legal advocacy – supporting survivors as they navigate the court system – demonstrates the need for this service in Gallatin Valley. “There aren’t a lot of options for people,” said Haven Director of Programs Kareena. While Haven advocates aren’t lawyers, they can offer support and answer questions about how systems work and what to expect.
Increased calls to Haven’s 24-hour support line are likely due to both the valley’s increased population and the fact that Haven advocates are turning the support line into a one-stop shop for survivors. “To access counseling, call the support line. To access legal advocacy, that also comes through the support line,” Kareena said.
The increases in both legal advocacy and calls to the support line show the need for the services Haven offers in addition to our emergency shelter at The Barnard Center. Thank you for standing with survivors at a time when the need for our services continues to grow in Gallatin Valley.
Related press coverage:
“Bozeman nonprofit sees increase in domestic violence survivors seeking shelter,” NBC Montana, Sept. 17.
“Bozeman's Haven shelter sees increase in demand for domestic violence services,” ABC Fox Montana, Sept. 20.
“‘Increases across the board’: Haven sees growing shelter demand for domestic-violence victims,” Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Sept. 23.
“Bozeman organization which supports domestic violence survivors sees an 87% increase in overnight stays,” KBZK, Oct. 3.