Project Homeless Nets Record Crowd

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By Kyle Midura

Story Published: Jan 29, 2010 at 7:00 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 29, 2010 at 8:32 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Dozens of agencies throughout the city provide services to the region's homeless population, but getting to those agencies can be difficult for people who do not have access to transportation.

Friday those programs met in one place, and people turned out in record numbers for the services.

"When I pulled up this morning, the line of people was from the side door of the library all the way out to North Broadway," said Mayor Tom Hanel.

Parmly Library overflowed as it hosted the 4th annual Project Homeless Connect, Billings' largest homeless event.

"Each year I think it gets bigger and better," said Hanel.

"I recently lost my job, and I just could not keep up with rent," said Homeless volunteer Kevin Miller, "my hopes are that I'll be able to get a place and a good decent job, so I can get back on my feet and get back into the community and start living again."

Coordinators said one of the biggest issues facing homeless individuals is that they can't find all the services they need, however Friday, they were all in one place.

"It's the who, what, and where, and this Project Connect is the opportunity,” said PATH’s Carmen Gonzalez, “we have a lot of resources here available and these folks are going to get some answers."

"They're currently helping me out with housing," Miller said. Kevin's not the only one receiving help, the project eclipsed last year's record mark of 438 homeless or near homeless individuals by just after noon.

"You just have to see it to believe it,” said Hanel, “absolutely wonderful." But former Mayor Ron Tussing cautions that breaking records in a setting like Friday’s is both good and bad.

He and others said the problem is far from fully addressed. "We need to keep our eyes open and our arms open for these folks," said Gonzalez.

Forty service providers and 150 volunteers certainly heard the call.

Almost 600 people attended Friday's event. Members of the Mayor's Committee on Homelessness said the next step is improving inter-agency coordination.

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