Homeless provider Switchpoint seen as a rising star in Utah’s homeless system as leaders laud accountability. Here’s how they’re working to change lives.
City Council members write, "This was the ruling that many of us expected but it is not what Missoula plans to do. We understand this requires a thoughtful and compassionate response regardless of what the courts do or don’t allow us to do."
After months of debate and years of consideration, the Missoula City Council on Monday night adopted new policy regulating the time, manner and place in which crisis camping is permissible in parks and on public property.
Stephanie Land writes, "This ordinance will limit our community’s ability to fully function. Resources will go to enforcement rather than programs that offer support."
Daniel Carlino writes, "Survival activities such as camping, sleeping, or living in a vehicle are often unavoidable for people experiencing homelessness. We must provide safe places where people without access to shelter can go."
Kristen Jordan writes, "The City of Missoula has done an incredible job putting permanently affordable housing online. It has also done an incredible job creating congregant shelter space for our unhoused neighbors. However, it isn’t enough, unfortunately."
The Washington State Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to take up a case against a Spokane ballot measure that bans camping within 1,000 feet of schools, day care facilities, parks and playgrounds.
The mayor's effort to strike a balance in dealing with homeless camping in Missoula's public spaces, address safety and provide shelter to those in need left one council member erupting into an outburst and quitting the meeting while nine other council members eventually voted to move the issue to further discussion and a vote.
Citing a desire to balance the needs of both the housed and unhoused while also protecting the environment and local businesses, the City of Missoula on Tuesday unveiled the framework of a new strategy intended to address “crisis camping.”