About 275 people are documented as homeless in Bismarck-Mandan.

"Those are the ones we can count. It may be double that. A lot of times, the people have chronic conditions or they're fighting a disability," said Sue Martin, executive director of the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House. She estimates about 30 are long-term homeless here.

The cities of Bismarck and Mandan, together with the Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People and other partnering organizations, are working to convert existing housing into permanent, supportive housing units, as well as building new units to meet future needs of the homeless.

Region VII partners within Bismarck and Mandan also are working to make rent subsidies and vouchers more available to long-term homeless individuals and families, conducting an inventory of supportive services, establishing a team of outreach volunteers, and supporting efforts to conduct a statewide annual conference on homelessness.