Missoula’s relations to the Montana C of C in 2025
The context of this is my imminent retirement. I have been involved with the C of C for a number of years. I am currently on the Board of the MT C of C as a member elected at-large and serving as president. I have also chaired ARHC’s C of C committee for some time. Come January, I will be stepping down from those roles.
Some of my local colleagues met recently to discuss this and the suggestion was to put to you, the executive committee and the C of C committee, some thoughts on the importance of maintaining strong participation in the MT C of C as well as opening up discussion on the future scope, if any, of the C of C committee.
As you know, all Continuum of Care project grants are submitted together by the MT C of C each year (now two years). And Missoula projects constitute the largest amount any community in the state receives through this process. In fact, MHA’s grant and the YWCA’s grant are the two largest in the state, with MHA’s alone being larger than the bottom ten grants combined. Plus the HRDC has a YDHP grant. Mountain Home may receive a grant this year. This has been the case for many years. Probably as long as there has been a state C of C.
As a result, not surprisingly, there is always pressure from other communities to reallocate funds away from Missoula to communities who have less. So we have a lot at stake. Also, the C of C selects and operates the HMIS system and CES. And homelessness in Montana is not solely a local problem, as you know.
By the way, part of this also represents Missoula’s excellence and example for other communities around the state; and that is and should be in turn reflected in leadership on the state Board. Currently, we have three members. Each district gets a representative, so April Seat has been chosen by ARHC to represent us. Jill Bonny is an at-large appointee to represent Veteran’s issues, and she also currently serves as treasurer of the board. And then there is me.
Billings also has three representatives, including the current vice president who will presumably become president when I resign. Flathead has two on the committee. No other community has more than one.
When I step down, I can appoint a successor to fill my seat until the next membership meeting in May. At the November 20 membership meeting, I will be announcing my retirement and soliciting nominations for the appointment.
The suggestion from our group is that you guys consider putting forth a nominee from Missoula.
I am nominating Gwen Rafuse from MHA who will be taking over for me and has been running the C of C grant for several years now.
The second part of this discussion relates to the ARHC C of C committee. This committee originally and for many years convened around the annual NOFO, assisting in that process both locally and state wide. For example, it used to be required that the local C of Cs select and rank local projects. Much of that NOFO related work has shifted away from the Committee in recent years. So, to my mind it raises the question of whether and what a C of C committee should be and do moving forward.
So again the suggestion was to put that question to you guys.
I appreciate your time. And I thank you for all the great work you do for this community and beyond. It has been a pleasure and privilege working with you.
Jim McGrath
Director of HUD Programs
Missoula Housing Authority
(406) 549-4113 ext. 546
Fax (406) 532-7556
jmcgrath@missoulahousing.org
