These numbers show how many families are living below the poverty line in Montana. The Federal poverty line for a family of four in 2024 is $31,200.
Missoula's homelessness service providers are working on a cost and workload estimate to establish and operate an authorized campsite to serve the city's homeless population, but it is unclear if that could become a reality any time soon.
The city's urban camping law passed in June directs Missoula's mayor to propose an authorized camping site if it is "feasible, practicable, and in the public interest." There hasn't been an authorized campsite for the homeless in Missoula since summer 2022.
Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis said during a Wednesday city committee quarterly update on homeless programs that city council would need to approve any proposed authorized campsite, and discussions taking place now are only preliminary.
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"Folks are taking a look at what it would take," Davis said, adding current law allows for one to be established.
Authorized campsite talks
Jill Bonny, director of the Poverello Center, told city council on Wednesday that most of the city's service providers have been collaborating on a "pro forma" document that will estimate the resources and cost for a service provider-run camp.
"It could be that it's not possible, it could be that it's possible in certain ways, we are just continuing to have that conversation," Bonny said.
Ward 6 Councilor Kristen Jordan pushed for the city to support an authorized campsite. She has previously called for a campsite to alleviate the impact of camping in parks and other city-owned lands.
There are not enough shelter beds to accommodate Missoula's homeless population, Jordan said, adding the city can't afford to build another shelter.
"An authorized campsite really is a good solution," Jordan said. "I am disappointed that it is not a part of the conversation."
Emily Armstrong, the city's houseless programs manager, said at the meeting that the city has not been focusing on establishing an authorized campsite, and instead is looking to complete plans to transition more shelter residents to housing units.
"Is the solution creating a controlled camping site? Or is the solution creating some sort of approach that really focuses on moving those folks into housing solutions that they would like to see?" Armstrong questioned. "Lots of continued conversation there."
City Council President Amber Sherrill requested Bonny return in the next few weeks with a presentation on the proposed service provider-run camp that outlines what the city would need to contribute funding-wise, among other needs.
Discussions around an authorized campsite are taking place as the city council looks to revise its urban camping law to ban camping in city parks, among other restrictions. The current law includes regulations that any proposed authorized camping site would need to follow as well.
One proposed change to the current law would require the city to make public land available for an authorized campsite, which could provide a pathway for a service provider-run campsite.
"If a service provider organization is willing to operate a designated camping or parking site, the City may make a City-owned parcels available to that organization to operate such a site or sites if the City and the organization agree on program terms and conditions," the proposed change reads.
The council is expected to make any final changes to the law on Dec. 2.
New strategies
Starting this fall, both the Poverello Center and Johnson Street Shelter have implemented quotas for placing shelter guests into housing. They've also begun conversations with individuals about their shelter barriers and goals.
Data on the number of residents who have been placed in housing after passing through the shelters is not yet available, said Armstrong, citing increased demand on staff.
"It's new and asks a lot more resources and a lot more of their staff, so we are really grateful for all the time spent and all the energy spent to make that happen," Armstrong said.
A city-funded community strategy to address homelessness is also nearing completion. It aims to identify the number of shelter beds needed for the city, how to securing funding for homeless programs, and how to prioritize more "capacity" for service providers.
"They need more resources, they need more support, they need more internal capacity," Armstrong said.
That plan is expected to be released by the end of the year on the city's engagement website at engagemissoula.com.
Capacity concerns
More than 160 people slept overnight at the Johnson Street Shelter on Nov. 7, a small jump from the usual nightly count of 150, Bonny said on Wednesday.
There is still capacity at the shelter, as the site can hold up to 180 people with some less-than-ideal options like sitting beds.
Bonny noted that the city does not have enough shelter beds for the entire Missoula homeless community, which was listed at 644 households (individuals and families) in October.
While incoming winter weather might increase demand at both shelters, Bonny highlighted some positives.
The Poverello is awaiting a grant to renovate the old Clark Fork Inn by Scott Street for homeless veterans housing. The Poverello must keep a certain number of beds open for veterans, and the expansion would allow for more overnight shelter opportunities.
The Poverello has also secured off-the-ground beds for the Johnson Street Shelter, which previously relied on sleeping mats on the floor. The beds are expected to arrive in Missoula next month, Bonny said.
"That might increase our demand at Johnson Street, but time will tell," Bonny said.
Griffen Smith is the local government reporter for the Missoulian.
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