HRDC assessment: housing, wages and childcare top needs in Park County

HRDC representatives presented the results of a community needs assessment to Park County officials on Feb. 12, saying housing affordability remains the county’s top concern while demand for better-paying jobs surged compared with the prior cycle.

The assessment, produced in partnership with JG Research and summarized for Park County, combined household-level and community-perception questions. Krista DeCamida, the HRDC presenter, said respondents ranked "affordable and quality rental opportunities" first among household needs and "affordable home purchase" second; "jobs that pay more or have better benefits" placed third in the most recent survey.

DeCamida cited local housing metrics to explain the urgency: median single-family sales price for the period Jan. 1–Oct. 30, 2025 was "around $603,000," and median two‑bedroom rent was "just under $1,600." She said a household would need roughly $85,000 a year to avoid being cost‑burdened (spending more than 30% of income on housing) at that rent level. "When home prices are still as high as they are…wages haven't kept up," DeCamida said.

The presenter said the share of residents who rated "jobs that pay a living wage" as a top community need rose substantially since 2022, and she cited an approximate 172% increase in people ranking that issue. Mental‑health access and affordable child care also appeared among the top community needs across Park County respondents.

HRDC staff noted service‑use patterns and gaps. The agency reported steady or high use of food and nutrition supports—food banks and a food resource center—and said staff were surprised by the number of Park County residents accessing food resources in neighboring communities where they work. On shelter and emergency services, HRDC confirmed a staffed local office in Livingston (12 2nd Street), management of some apartment complexes, and the recent consolidation of Head Start with the local school district pre‑K program.

Participants asked about survey design and respondent mix. DeCamida said the statewide survey used the same questionnaire across counties and did not target employment sectors; about 15% of respondents identified as customers of HRDC. She recommended further analysis to explain a small decline in total households served from 2024 to 2025, noting possible out‑migration and year‑to‑year variation in who accesses services.

Public commenters combined personal testimony with policy suggestions. One resident recounted long‑term wage stagnation since 1980 and proposed redirecting the 4% local share of the accommodations (hotel/short‑term rental) tax—now used for tourism advertising—toward affordable housing. That proposal was offered as a discussion point; no action or vote on the idea took place.

HRDC also discussed ongoing housing strategies, including community land trusts and resident‑owned community conversions (work done with NeighborWorks) and cited continuing projects such as a tax‑credit 'welcome house' and the Gardner project, which have moved forward with ARPA and resort‑tax infrastructure funding. The agency said progress is incremental and multiple strategies are typically required to preserve or expand affordability.

Speakers flagged rural health‑care access as a continuing concern because travel distances and limited specialty care add cost and barriers. DeCamida pointed to a state uninsured rate of about 7% as part of the broader context for access issues.

The meeting closed after a brief procedural motion to adjourn.