Missoula Committee Endorses Comprehensive Plan to Combat Homelessness

In a decisive move, Missoula's Housing, Redevelopment, and Community Programs Committee has approved a robust three-year plan to address homelessness, marking a significant step toward making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in the community.

Developed by the On Our Way Home Leadership Group, with substantial input from local residents, the strategy focuses on three primary objectives: increasing the availability of beds, securing essential funding, and bolstering support services through enhanced staffing and training.

Clint Whittle-Frazier, representing the Franklin to the Fort Leadership Team, emphasized the collective responsibility, stating, "All parts of the Missoula community have a role to play in responding to houselessness and the situations that created."

The first priority of the plan is to ensure an adequate number of beds for the homeless population and to improve housing retention services. This includes the development of new permanent housing options and a reevaluation of the Johnson Street Shelter's location. Notably, the city has committed to master planning the Johnson Street property for redevelopment within a year, with plans to remove the existing shelter within three years.

The second priority centers on securing funding for high-priority actions. Annual coalition meetings will be held to determine the most pressing financial needs, whether for shelter operations, housing initiatives, or staffing essential services. In a related development, the Missoula Housing Authority recently received over $1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support permanent supportive housing programs, underscoring the community's commitment to addressing homelessness.

The third priority aims to increase staff and support for organizations assisting the homeless. This involves investing in comprehensive training programs and recruiting skilled volunteers to enhance the effectiveness of homeless services. Emily Armstrong, Houseless Program Manager, highlighted the importance of community involvement, stating, "We as a community need to figure out how to better support our service providers on the ground as a community. Whether that's through partnerships with the faith community or robust volunteer networks, whatever that may be."

The strategy is set to proceed to the City Council for final approval on May 19. If adopted, it will guide Missoula's approach to homelessness from 2025 to 2028, with initial steps expected to commence this summer.

Community members are encouraged to participate in upcoming discussions and to contribute to the collective effort to address homelessness in Missoula. The success of this strategy hinges on the active involvement and support of the entire community.