Great Falls Takes Action Against Homelessness With Baatz Block Apartments
- Ground was broken on Baatz Block Apartments in 2023
- Latest research shows there are over 450 homeless people in Great Falls right now
- This is the first permanent supportive housing in Great Falls
Neighborworks Great Falls and Homeword Team Up To Fight Homelessness In Great Falls
In 2023, Neighborworks broke ground on the Baatz Building, intending to help Great Falls' homeless population more easily transition out of homelessness and back into a more safe and stable life.
The redevelopment of the building will result in 25 apartments to house those transitioning out of homelessness.
This is a unique program that wraps around those support services so that they don't have to go very far for their case management, their mental health needs, their physical needs in order to be the most successful they can be once their housed after maybe a long term amount of being homeless.--Sherry Arey, executive director of NWGF to ABC of the support housing
What Services Will Be Offered In The Baatz Building?
On the first floor will be services such as case management and mental health services to help people successfully transition into permanent housing.
"Housing is healthcare and if you're able to get someone housed first and then provide, particularly onsite, all those services that they might need… it really helps with the success." Sherry Arey, NWGF, to Non-Stop Local
It's About Time Great Falls Tackled This Problem
This is such a positive step for our community.
I can't say enough about Neighborworks Great Falls and all the good they do for us in and around town. Great Falls is a better place because of Neighborworks.
The one thing that I hope for is some grace for the people transitioning out of their homeless situations into a home of their own.
I feel that sometimes Great Falls is tough on our homeless population. Instead of shunning them and telling them they're not welcome in certain places, maybe we ask what we can do to help them out of a bad situation.
Keep in mind, it's rare for someone to choose to be homeless. A little kindness might be all it takes to lift them up and out of such a desperate situation.
Sources: The Electric, Montana Right Now, ABC Non-Stop Local
Great Falls High School Alumni Brick Walkway, Great Falls, Montana
Gallery Credit: Tammie Toren