Mayor Davis: City to close Johnson Street shelter in August
Mayor Andrea Davis
I am writing to inform you of a significant change that will be taking place in our community, specifically regarding the Johnson Street Temporary Emergency Shelter. As someone who lives near this facility, I want to ensure you have the information you need and understand the steps being taken to support the people who rely on the shelter.
Due to the exhaustion of federal funding, the City of Missoula has made the difficult decision to close the Johnson Street Emergency Shelter by August 2025. By way of background, the shelter was established during the pandemic to provide essential support when other local services were reduced due to health concerns.
It has been an important resource for many, and we are incredibly grateful to the Poverello Center, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations for their ongoing efforts to support our unhoused neighbors.
With the federal funding now depleted, we have carefully planned a phased closure to allow enough time for shelter guests to transition into more stable housing. The closure will take place between April and August 2025, with the shelter's capacity gradually reduced starting on April 1, 2025. During this time, the City will be working intensively to connect as many shelter guests as possible with stable housing, support services, and, where appropriate, relocation assistance.
To achieve this, we are launching a “housing sprint”—an intensive effort to help shelter guests find stable housing solutions before the shelter closes. This includes:
- Assistance with securing identification, rental applications, and housing.
- Referrals to substance use and medical services.
- Transportation support for those needing help reuniting with stable support systems.
- Housing-focused case management to maximize the number of successful housing placements.
We are committed to supporting individuals throughout this process by providing rental assistance, case management, and connecting them with local service providers and resources. The goal is to minimize displacement and ensure that as many people as possible secure positive solutions before the shelter’s closure.
The Missoula City Council passed a resolution in August of 2023 with a goal of deconstruction of all buildings on this site by fall of 2026. I am setting a goal of deconstructing and removing the shelter facility by fall of 2025. We are currently undergoing a public engagement process for the North MRL Triangle where we are seeking ideas and comments to determine future uses. We hope you will participate!
The City will continue enforcing the updated outdoor sheltering ordinance. The goal is to ensure public spaces remain safe while also working toward long-term housing solutions. Please reference the Johnson Street Resource List for guidance about who to call with specific questions related to the shelter. If you witness dangerous or illegal activity, please contact 911.
I understand that this news may raise questions, and I want to assure you that the City is dedicated to managing this transition carefully, safely, and compassionately. You can find more information and FAQs about this transition on the City’s website. We welcome your continued support as we all work together to help our most vulnerable neighbors during this time of change.
Thank you for your understanding and for being an important part of this community.