Disability Rights Montana Seeks City Sponsorship For CDBG Planning Grant

Disability Rights Montana formally requested city sponsorship for a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant planning grant during a presentation to Helena city staff and commissioners this month. The request, presented at the Administrative Meeting on November 12 and summarized on CitizenPortal on November 13, seeks funding to plan a potential conversion of the nonprofit groups current office into a community center serving people with disabilities.

The organization is exploring converting its roughly 11,000 square foot office to create space for programs, meetings, and services tailored to disabled residents. City staff advised commissioners that no formal commission action was required to sponsor the planning grant application, but they indicated the city would welcome local support as the effort proceeds through the planning and application process.

For Helena residents the proposal could have practical implications. A community center dedicated to disability services would provide an accessible hub for information, peer support and programming that many community members currently travel outside the area to find. The planning grant would finance early stage work that typically includes site assessments, community outreach and preliminary design options. Those steps are crucial for understanding construction costs, accessibility upgrades and program needs before pursuing larger construction funding.

The request also highlights a broader community conversation about how public and nonprofit partners coordinate to meet the needs of vulnerable residents. The Community Development Block Grant program is often used to support local planning and infrastructure projects that target underserved populations, and local sponsorship can help applications demonstrate municipal alignment and community benefit. City staff comments that no formal action was required reflect procedural guidance, while the invitation for local support signals willingness to collaborate without obligating the commission to immediate commitments.

Practical next steps for residents and stakeholders include monitoring the CitizenPortal summary posted November 13 for updates and any future public notices related to the grant application. Disability Rights Montana will need to complete the planning grant application and, if awarded, carry out the planning activities that would inform any subsequent funding requests or construction proposals.

The potential conversion also resonates with wider trends toward inclusive public spaces and community based services. For Lewis and Clark County the planning process offers an opportunity to shape a local resource that could increase accessibility, foster community connections and reduce barriers to services for residents with disabilities. The coming months will determine whether the planning grant proceeds and how the concept evolves through community input and technical study.