What You Need To Know About Missoula's Homelessness Initiative

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula United Way is teaming up with the Tremper’s Shopping Center to help support housing solutions in their ‘Give Real Change’ campaign.

I spoke with Susan Hay Patrick, Executive Director of the United Way on Thursday about the effort to help those seeking permanent housing in Missoula.

The United Way is Teaming up with Tremper's Shopping Center

“The good folks at Tremper’s Shopping Center, which is such a cornerstone of midtown Missoula, approached us during the closure of the Johnson Street Shelter, which, as you know, has now closed, and they said, we want to do something that really can have an impact on homelessness in our community and also can help people on the street address the challenges that they face in a meaningful way,” began Hay Patrick.

Hay Patrick said the merchants in Tremper’s Shopping Center see the effects of homelessness on a daily basis.

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Hay Patrick said the Tremper's Merchants see the Effects of Homelessness

“I think Tremper’s and many Midtown businesses were affected by the presence of the shelter; probably panhandling in their neighborhoods and outside their businesses,” she said. “Their business increased, and they saw this as a way to both address the challenges that unhealthy people face and make a real impact on helping.”

Hay Patrick was gratified that Tremper’s Shopping Center chose the United Way as their partner in helping those less fortunate.

Tremper's Chose to Support the United Way's Housing Solutions Fund

“They chose our Housing Solutions Fund, which is a flexible fund that, with relatively minor expenditures, addresses people's barriers to housing and has been extremely effective in keeping people housed or getting them into houses,” she said. “They’ve helped about 2,000 Missoulians over the last several years.”

Hay Patrick described some of the needs that they hope Housing Solutions Fund addresses for the Missoula Community.

“The money goes for things like first and last month's rent or a security deposit, because a lot of people can afford to pay rent, they just can't come up with that first and last month's rent and security deposit,” she said. “Some of it goes for things like rental application fees. Some of it goes to travel. If you have a family member or a support network outside of Missoula, we will buy you a transportation ticket to reunite with your family and friends.”