Host a Member

Looking for a Way to Support MCC and Help Serve Your Community?

The housing crisis makes it difficult for young people to live and work in Montana. MCC’s AmeriCorps members are no exception. Many MCC members live out of their cars, camp, or have a difficult time finding rentals. This is stressful both physically and emotionally.

In 2022 we launched an initiative to match MCC community members like you with our members to provide temporary housing solutions. And the initiative was a success! We are able to provide housing to 32% of our members, in part due to host families like you. Our hosts loved contributing to the MCC mission, giving back, and helping young people facing the housing crisis.

This year, we invite YOU to help an MCC'er give back to our public lands and communities by hosting a member in your home!

Housing an MCC corps member during days off is a great way to support these young leaders and provide a safe space to recover between projects.

Here's What to Expect...

There are several lengths of time that you could support a member. MCC's programs have varying schedules that affect how much time a participant typically spends at home or "in the field". You can indicate how many days per month you could provide a room. Please note, there may be some variation in members' schedules due to unforseen illness, injury, or environmental factors.

Here is a sampling of our position types and the date ranges they serve:

• Field Crew Leaders: February to October
• Field Crew Members, Conservation Fellows: May to October
• Youth Expedition Leaders, YCC Leader, Conservation Intern: May to August
• Fall Crew Members: August - October

We hold high professional expectations of our members and hold them accountable for their behavior. What’s unique about AmeriCorps is that MCC'ers are expected to be positive members of the community. To help ensure that both parties understand the expectations for the season, you and the MCC member will sign an agreement committing to joint standards of conduct.

Learn More About Hosting a Member...

Where does MCC need hosts? 

• We are seeking host families across Montana.

Do the AmeriCorps members pay anything to their hosts? 

• MCC members signing up for this option are ready to pay up to 25% of their AmeriCorps living stipend for housing. This would be approximately $250 - 450 maximum rent depending on the position. We hope host families will consider this rate as a contribution to the MCC member’s experience. These members give up a lot to serve in Montana communities. They make lasting contributions to our public lands.  With your help, this experience will be possible for the next generation of service members in Montana.

What do the members need in a host home?

• A safe and private place to sleep and store their belongings
• Access to shared amenities such as a bathroom and kitchen. Laundry is great but not required.
• A place to park a vehicle
• Key access to the living quarters

I can't host, how can I help?

• Please send this page to a friend or colleague! If you are unable to host but are looking for a roommate, contact housing@mtcorps.org.

What Else is MCC Doing?

MCC is working on solutions to address our corps members' housing needs. We increased stipends for 2024 and are working on increasing them further. We continue to develop basecamp and campground options by partnering with federal land managers. You can read about what else we are doing to improve the MCC member experience on our Identity and Equity page.

We have surveyed corps members each year since we began this initiative. Although we continue to move the needle each year, in 2023 20% of crew members lived out of their cars or camped. Participants note increased mental health and physical recovery challenges without a place to adequately rest and recover between hitches.

Help MCC support these AmeriCorps National Service participants to be the front-line stewards of our beloved public lands.