UWYC to fund a NEW Community Housing Navigator position
Over the last year, we've funded four Community Housing Navigator positions. We're excited to announce that we're adding another.
Community Housing Navigators are experts that help families overcome barriers to housing. Sometimes, they'll help families through paperwork labyrinths. Other days, it might be helping families with supporting items like finding employment and transportation, or sifting through assistance programs. Every day, they'll be building trusted relationship with families experiencing homelessness, becoming a go-to for people working to build sustainable futures.
The application for the new CHN position is open through Aug. 21
The following documents are provided for supporting information:
- To view the Request for Proposals for this CHN position, click here.
- To view the scoring criteria for the application, click here.
- To view the Frequently Asked Questions document about the RFP, click here.
- To view the application outline, click here. Please note that this document is NOT the application; the application is accessed using the "Apply Here" button above.
- To view CHN job expectations, click here.
A busy year
We've funded CHNs at four local nonprofits over the last year: Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley, Homefront, HRDC7. Those CHN's have helped more than 70 local families who were previously unhoused get into housing and on a sustainable path to stay housed. They worked with another 150+ families to build skills, make plans, and overcome challenges.
United Way of Yellowstone County has committed $800,000 to fund these positions through 2028 and will provide overarching coordination and support. We're also bringing more financial resources to help families turn temporary barriers into milestone of achievement.
Housing Solutions Fund
We're on track to open our Housing Solutions Fund in August, making a $1 million pot of money available for the next three years. It will primarily be available to help families working with CHN-funded agencies, but a portion of the
money will be available to any local nonprofit working toward solutions to family homelessness.
“We’re excited to collaborate with other nonprofits to address an urgent issue for our community,” UWYC President and CEO Andrew Konkel said. “We believe that this model can help families get into housing and build sustainable futures.”
Both the Housing Solutions Fund and Community Housing Navigators are funded by the 5-year, $2.5 million Day 1 Families Fund grant that UWYC received in November 2023. UWYC created an 11-member committee of community members to evaulate recommendations for spending the grant, which was a surprise arrival. Helping families overcome barriers to housing was identified as a top priority.
An urgent issue
Homelessness is a pressing issue in Yellowstone County and across Montana. Between 2007 and 2023, homelessness nearly doubled, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Much of that jump happened between 2022 and 2023, a 45% increase.
Unfortunately, UWYC wasn't able to fund every group that applied for a CHN. Six local nonprofits applied for a total of 10 CHN positions earlier this year, illustrating the need for resources in Yellowstone County.
