MISSOULA — City officials announced Friday morning that the Johnson Street Temporary Emergency Shelter will be closing.
A "phased closure" of the shelter is slated to begin in April and wrap up by August of this year. The end of COVID-19 pandemic-era federal funding and the inability of other federal relief funds are cited as the main reason the shelter will close.
“The City of Missoula is not alone in weathering the effects of the end of Covid-era federal funding and uncertainty over future funding,” Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis said. “The temporary shelter costs $1.8 million annually to run. As we face growing pressures on the City’s general fund, we must shift our focus to housing-first solutions that provide stability and a pathway out of homelessness, rather than short-term sheltering.”
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Beginning on April 1, the shelter will start reducing its nightly capacity.
At the same time, an effort described as a "housing sprint" will begin to provide shelter residents with permanent housing options and critical support services. Help with rental applications, identification, substance use and medical referrals, transportation assistance and housing-focused case management will be available.
Mayor Davis emphasized that the closure of the shelter is part of an effort to implement long-term housing solutions.
“While we are sensitive to the challenges of this transition, we are also hopeful and serious about creating opportunities for individuals to find stable, permanent housing and other appropriate solutions,” Mayor Davis said. “Some of the elements of a housing sprint have already proven effective, such as connecting 12 individuals with housing within 60 days through our Housed for the Holidays initiative. We’re confident that sustained and targeted efforts to focus on stable housing solutions will make a difference.”
The City will continue to provide help for people who can't find housing before the Johnson Street shelter closes for good at the end of August.
Additional information from the City of Missoula:
Frequently Asked Questions – Johnson Street Emergency Shelter Closure
General Information
The Johnson Street Emergency Shelter was established during the pandemic to provide critical support when local providers had to reduce capacities to meet health requirements. With federal funding and an available facility, the City partnered with the Poverello Center and other service providers to operate the shelter at a time when the number of people experiencing houselessness was rising, and resources were stretched thin. As federal funding for the shelter has ended, it is necessary to begin a phased closure.
We are deeply grateful to the Poverello Center, partner organizations, staff, and volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to providing shelter and support to those in need during this challenging period.
Why is the Johnson Street Temporary Emergency Shelter closing?
The shelter is closing due to a funding shortfall and increasing pressure on the City’s general fund. Federal relief funds that previously supported emergency shelter operations—such as CARES Act and ARPA funding—are no longer available. The shelter was always intended to be temporary to meet the pandemic-era need. Additionally, the congregate shelter model has not demonstrated strong outcomes in transitioning people into permanent housing.
When will the shelter close?
The closure will happen in a phased approach from April to August 2025 to allow time for guests to transition to more stable housing situations. In collaboration with shelter staff, we will begin reducing the shelter’s nightly capacity starting on April 1. The City and partners will simultaneously conduct a targeted housing sprint to connect as many shelter residents as possible to stable housing, support services, and, when appropriate, relocation assistance.Who made the decision to close the shelter?
Mayor Andrea Davis made the decision in coordination with other City and community leadership after evaluating funding constraints, shelter effectiveness, and long-term housing goals. City Council leadership has been informed and supports this direction.
Does the City still support people experiencing houselessness?
Yes. While the shelter is closing, the City remains committed to housing-focused solutions that provide long-term stability rather than temporary sheltering. This includes a targeted housing sprint to help individuals secure permanent housing, as well as ongoing collaboration with service providers.
The news media have reported high levels of houselessness across the country. Is this the best time to close the shelter?
While national and statewide news media have reported stark increases in houselessness nationally and in Montana, our local reality is different. Missoula is regularly seeing 600 to 700 unhoused households at any given time. This reality is equivalent to the number of unhoused Missoulians in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. We experienced an increase in unhoused households during the pandemic, alongside communities across the nation. Since then, our numbers have gradually decreased and remain consistently in the 600 to 700 household range. Notably, Missoula saw a dip in the number of unhoused households in late 2023 and early 2024 when 402 income-restricted rental units opened in our community through the Villagio and Trinity housing developments. This points to the fact that we know well: housing is the solution to houselessness.
What will happen to the staff working at the Johnson Street Shelter?
We are tremendously grateful to the Poverello Center and their entire team of staff for operating this shelter at a time of great community need. The staff worked tirelessly to provide a warm and welcoming shelter environment, keeping neighbors safe from harsh weather and meeting the basic needs of hundreds of Missoulians. We are talking with the Poverello Center leadership about staff impacts throughout this phased closure and are considering opportunities for staff involvement in the housing sprint.Housing Sprint & Support for Shelter Residents
What is the housing sprint?
The housing sprint is an intensive, time-limited effort to connect shelter residents with stable housing solutions before the shelter closes. It includes:
- Assistance with identification, rental applications, and securing housing.
- Substance use and medical referrals.
- Transportation support to help individuals reconnect with stable support systems.
- Housing-focused case management to maximize housing placements.
How will the City help people transition from the shelter?
The City and its partners will work directly with shelter residents to secure stable housing through rental assistance, case management, and supportive services. This approach was successfully used in the Housed for the Holidays initiative, which connected 12 people with housing in 60 days.
What if someone staying at the shelter isn’t able to secure housing before the closure?
The City is committed to working with individuals to find solutions, including connections to local service providers, travel assistance, and other available resources. The goal is to minimize displacement and maximize housing placements before the shelter fully closes.
What services are available to people seeking resources today?
A number of resources and programs are available in the community. Information can be found on the For People Seeking Shelter page on the City’s website. The web page about the shelter closure is at www.ci.missoula.mt.us/closure.
Facility & Future Use
What will happen to the Johnson Street shelter building after it closes?
The City will determine whether the facility should be removed, repurposed, or rented in the short term. The City is currently conducting the North MRL Triangle Redevelopment Plan, which includes the emergency shelter site. The Missoula City Council passed a resolution in August 2023 with a goal of deconstruction by fall of 2026.Will another emergency shelter replace Johnson Street?
At this time, the City is shifting resources toward permanent housing solutions rather than operating new emergency shelters. While emergency sheltering remains a part of the community’s response, the focus will be on securing housing rather than maintaining a large-scale congregate shelter. The independent, nonprofit Poverello Center has provided shelter, meals and other services in Missoula for 50 years and will continue to operate.
Impact on the Community
How will the City manage public camping after the shelter closes?
The City will continue enforcing the updated outdoor sheltering ordinance, with Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and the Police Department providing enforcement. The goal is to ensure public spaces remain safe while also working toward long-term housing solutions.
How will this decision affect businesses and neighborhoods near the shelter?
The phased closure and housing sprint aim to reduce disruption by helping people transition into stable housing rather than pushing people into unsheltered situations. The City will continue working with neighborhoods and businesses to address concerns.
City Council & Public Engagement
What roles do City Council members play in this decision?
The City Council does not need to take action to close the shelter.
Will there be opportunities for public comments and ideas?
The City is engaging stakeholders, including houseless service providers and community partners, before the public announcement. There will be ongoing communication with guests, businesses, and advocacy groups throughout the transition.
Funding & Long-Term Strategy
How will the City fund housing solutions moving forward?
The adoption process of On Our Way Home, the community strategy to address houselessness, is underway. This long-term strategy will be used by the City and partners to prioritize programming, The City is assessing the eligibility of existing resources andexploring potential funding from partners such as Missoula County and new sources. A fundraising effort will also support the housing sprint. Identifying sustainable, long-term funding for housing initiatives remains a priority.
What is the City's long-term strategy for addressing houselessness?
The City is shifting toward prioritizing permanent housing solutions over emergency sheltering. This approach focuses on getting people housed and keeping them housed, rather than maintaining temporary shelters that have not shown strong long-term outcomes. It will be informed by “On Our Way Home,” the community strategy to address houselessness.
What is the plan for extreme weather?
Leaders of Missoula’s houseless providers led an effort this winter to partner with the faith community to provide overflow sheltering and warming spaces during the coldest nights.
Several congregations participated in this effort, allowing the community to test various approaches. We are encouraged by these new partnerships and hope to build on these collaborative efforts going forward. The Poverello Center will continue to offer shelter year-round.
Will you set up a temporary camping site (ACS)?
No. After recent exploration with the leaders of local service-providing organizations, it is clear there is not a path to safely and successfully operate temporary camping sites.
Where will people live/stay who can’t get a home or an alternative solution?
Our goal is to prioritize stable housing solutions for all impacted by this decision, and we’ll continue to work with partners, service providers, the faith community, and the community at large toward addressing houselessness.
The new federal administration is intending to cut 50 percent of the personnel at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Isn’t this the time to invest more in houselessness, not less?
The federal government is a key partner in addressing houselessness. Significant decreases in HUD funding will undoubtedly have implications nationally and locally. At this time, the City is focusing limited resources on solutions that move people toward permanent housing and ongoing housing stability.
How can I help?
Donate: Contribute financially to the Johnson Street Housing Sprint. These flexible funds will be used to directly support housing solutions for those currently using the Johnson Street Shelter. Contact United Way of Missoula County and mention the Johnson Street Housing Sprint or select “Johnson Street Housing Sprint” as the donation purpose on their donation page to make a contribution: https://missoulaunitedway.org/donate.
Volunteer: This housing sprint is a full community effort. If you have any resources to offer or interest in volunteering your time, we need you. The Missoula Interfaith Collaborative’s Housing Advocate Network, a network of neighbors helping neighbors, is hosting an orientation for interested community members on Wednesday, March 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at their offices at 2205 34th St. Come learn to support your neighbors without housing by walking alongside to help find and keep housing. Everyday Missoulians can do this with a little training and support! If you can’t make the orientation, you can sign up to be a volunteer housing advocate anytime here.
Landlords: If you’re a landlord or property manager looking to make an impact in our community and interested in getting involved, please contact the City of Missoula’s Houseless Programs Team: Cerina Azure-Kjorstad Azure-KjorstadC@ci.missoula.mt.us.
