Homelessness is down in Bozeman. Here’s why that matters to Haven.
For the first time in years, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Bozeman is down.
This year’s Point-in-Time Count found 25 percent fewer people experiencing homelessness in Bozeman — 394 people, down from 523 the year before.
For Haven, that matters for a simple reason: Domestic violence is a major driver of homelessness for women. Up to 57 percent of women experiencing homelessness report domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness.
That’s why Haven works closely with our partners in Gallatin County’s Regional Housing Coalition — and why housing is an important part of the support we offer survivors.
The decline in homelessness didn’t happen by accident. Over the past several years, local governments, donors and nonprofit organizations have invested in more affordable housing, additional shelter and transitional housing, and better services to help people move from homelessness into stable housing.
Regional Housing Coalition partners helped produce or preserve more than 750 affordable homes in 2024 alone. New facilities have opened at HRDC, Family Promise, and here at Haven. Providers are also coordinating more closely, improving referrals so people can move more easily from emergency shelter into transitional housing, or into permanent housing.
We’re seeing the effects at Haven.
More participants have been able to leave Haven’s emergency shelter for stable, permanent housing through referrals to housing partners. Haven also opened our own transitional housing program last fall, giving survivors another option between emergency shelter and permanent housing.
“No one organization can solve Bozeman’s housing issues,” Bozeman Mayor Joey Morrison said. “It takes people across different sectors and organizations all pushing in the same direction to have an impact, and we’re finally starting to see the results of those years of collaboration. We’ve made meaningful progress on shelter space and affordable housing, and it’s because we’ve been working together.”
The Point-in-Time Count is a one-night snapshot, and it doesn’t capture everyone experiencing homelessness. Regional partners welcomed the decline this year as evidence that sustained investment and collaboration are making a difference—and we’re all emphasizing the need to keep that progress going.
Selected press:
“Bozeman homelessness count drops 25%, first decline in years,” Explore Big Sky, Aug. 3, 2026.
“Bozeman homeless population drops 25 percent, HRDC says,” KBZK-TV, Aug. 4, 2026.
“Bozeman homeless count drops as housing services expand,” ABC Fox Montana, Aug. 4, 2026.
“New data reveals homelessness is down 25% in Bozeman,” NBC Montana, Aug. 4, 2026.