Emily Armstrong the Houseless Initiatives Program Manager in the department of Community Planning Development and Innovation provided background, the timeline and the overarching goals regarding Reaching Home, Missoula’s 10-Year plan to end homelessness. She introduced the evaluation consultants of JG Research and Evaluations who assessed the work accomplished under the 10-year plan. She outlined the three stages of the evaluation process: planning, data collection, and data analysis. Ms. Armstrong introduced Erika Berglund of JG Research and Evaluation who recapped the background, key principles and building blocks of Reaching Home. She highlighted the evaluation goals as well as the methods of research, data collection, and analysis. Ms. Berglund detailed the results of the evaluation regarding the implementation of the 10-Year plan including the areas of service collaboration and coordination, homeless prevention and rapid re-housing as well as the continuum of housing options. She introduced Brandn Green of JG Research and Evaluation who presented results related to the impact on outcomes for individuals. He incorporated data from the Missoula Coordinated Entry System (MCES). Mr. Green offered future considerations and key conclusions. For further information, please see the attached video.
Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Berglund and Montana James, Deputy Director of Community Development addressed the committee’s questions regarding the following:
- The national average age compared to the local average age of those experiencing houselessness
- National plans and ideas compared to local plans and ideas to address prevention, diversion, and retention services
- Volunteer and donation opportunities through the non-profit partnerships involved in the work
- Future funding and leveraging of funds to support the emergency winter shelter, the Poverello Center and other related programs as well as collaboration with community partners to address potential funding gaps
- The groundwork that had been put in place resulting from Reaching Home, including the MCES
- Future community engagement concerning the evaluation results
- The varied sentiment throughout the community regarding Reaching Home as well as future communication and transparency
- The next steps moving forward including funding and the city’s role in the process
- The percent of unhoused that are Montana residents, how those numbers compare to national averages and how that data is derived.
Public Comment:
Travis Matier, a Missoula resident suggested looking at death experiences of people without houses and presented various avenues for this approach. He also mentioned law enforcement situation management.
Josh Slotnich, Missoula County Commissioner, touched upon inadequacies pertaining to the funding structure for local government and the property tax system in relation to revenue. He mentioned the need for different tools besides voted on bonds and levies. He pointed out the similar number of those experiencing houselessness in Missoula and Kalispell and the difference in services between the two communities.
Susan Hay Patrick, Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Missoula County remarked that nonprofits function best when partnered with the government. She relayed that the private sector is no substitute for public support for the government’s role in changing and saving lives. She commented on the themes within the report concerning lack of resources and communication costs. Ms. Hay Patrick highlighted the collective impact approach, which limits the duplication of services.
Dave Strohmaier, Missoula County Commissioner expressed the support of Missoula County Government as a partner to work alongside the City of Missoula.
There was no motion; this was an informational item.