MISSOULA - Missoula’s houselessness crisis was back on the docket for the Missoula City Council on Monday, June 26, 2023, this time for a public hearing on the overnight camping ordinance.
After voting to close parks, trails, and conservation lands to overnight camping earlier this month, the council held a public hearing. The 90-day emergency ordinance closes city parks in Missoula from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. with city officials saying it’s an issue of public safety.
Housing advocates say the issue is those experiencing homelessness have no place to go with shelters near or at capacity.
"I got into this issue because of my personal opposition to park camps. I don't think they should ever be allowed in an ideal world. I'm not even sure they should be allowed under the ninth circuit ruling if we can find any alternative at all in terms of beds," one person told the council.
"I have done everything that I can do to prove that I am a good person that I can do anything, and to end up being homeless has just about broken me I’ve done so much it just makes me so angry to watch people sit and judge our lives we’re not horrible people everybody thinks we’re out drinking so much, doing drugs, or doing all these things we’re surviving," another person said during public comment.
No action was taken on Monday, but city council members heard public testimony. The City Council will hold this public hearing open until the ordinance is up for final consideration on July 10.
