Seniors in Southwest Montana are Facing Extreme Cost of Living Pressure

A number of economic pressures are hitting the wallets of seniors living in and around Gallatin County. Rising rents, a significant deficit in affordable housing, inflation, high medical costs, and the recent cessation of the Montana Emergency Rental Program (MERA) are causing many people who are nearing retirement or who have already retired to seek help from HRDC.

“Can you imagine what you would do if your rent were to suddenly go up $500 per month — or more — while your primary source of income is a monthly Social Security check that is less than $1,500? Not only that, but when you start to...