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Board discusses community health assessment, growing food insecurity and housing pressure in Park County
Summary
Board members previewed a consolidated community health assessment and improvement plan to be presented in November and described rising housing costs, sharply increased food‑bank demand, and cuts to food‑bank funding affecting seniors and families.
Board members used the Oct. 14 meeting to preview a community health assessment and improvement plan that county staff hope to present in November, and to surface ongoing concerns about housing affordability and food insecurity.
An agency official (S1) said the county will combine its required community health assessment (every three years) with a hospital assessment (every four years) to save resources and produce a shared Community Health Improvement Plan. The official described outreach to employers, nonprofits and social‑service agencies to identify gaps and priorities and said the county will invite major funders to the convening. "We hope to present sometime in November," the official said.
Board members stressed housing and food as recurring themes. The official cited a reported 70% increase in median home price in Park County between 2020 and 2024 and said many longtime rental units have been redeveloped into short‑term or vacation rentals, shrinking rental availability. The official and other members described growing use of the Livingston Food Resource and Gardner Food Bank, with one speaker saying the county’s food bank funding from larger networks had been cut substantially. A board member discussed how the aging population and the loss of a spouse can leave older residents isolated and dependent on EMS and social supports.
Why it matters: Board members said the assessment will help identify priorities where government, nonprofits and funders can align, with food security and housing identified as top concerns that affect health outcomes across the community.
Next steps: The county will schedule the consolidated assessment meeting in November, invite partners and check progress on the improvement plan at least twice a year.
