Working For You: Homelessness in Missoula

If you've driven along Missoula's North Reserve Street corridor, you've probably noticed a growing homeless encampment under the bridge and along the Clark Fork River.
Our viewers have reached out to us with questions about who's responsible for the property, whether camping there is legal and concerns about crime, environmental impacts and public safety at the site.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic brought new challenges for Missoula's homeless population, including mounting unemployment, reduced capacity at shelters, skyrocketing housing costs and few places to turn for those living on the streets.
NBC Montana's Madison Doner has been working for you -- following this story for two years to uncover the answers to your questions as well as highlight efforts from neighbors, community organizers and city and state officials to implement lasting changes.
Read more at nbcmontana.com/

[@BonniejuneWarner]

Why doesn't MDT give the residents of this encampment chores . Many of the homeless there are new. the people living there need to be held responsible for the clean up .I don't understand what is so difficult about asking them to do the cleaning.

[@r.d.9399]

Huge housing bubble! All home prices need to drop by over 60% for a real correction to happen.

[@raymondnoppe5924]

Someone else besides me that noticed the real issue why homeless are becoming huge

[@xc8487]

I don't have a problem with someone who wants to live with nature, but surrounding yourself with garbage on public land is unacceptable.

[@idahojoe8232]

Thank you for addressing issue. Does area have mental health care centers?

[@deweydiamonds2604]

This camp is a half mile from my house. A person was killed with a hammer under that bridge. Gangs of ner do wells harrass other bums in the new temp space. One had an axe. Tons of money was spent putting up useless ugly fencing on an already ugly bridge. I wonder if they used some of the police funding they pulled when the city was virtue signaling in 2020. My tax dollars. My friends and I used to fish at that spot in the good missoula years. Thank you Engen

[@usa2342]

Just built neighborhood of mini houses for them and problem SOLVED. WHY is it so HARD to get over a problem?

[@Cuv112]

In olympia WA. Homelessness is out of control, overrun our city. Don't let this continue or it'll be to big to stop

[@mordecaiculpepper7957]

Vote Democrat get Democrat results

[@rebeccaqallaboutthefeminin1794]

These people have no way of disposing of trash. Help them. It is going to get worse and you may be next.

[@pauljanssen7594]

Looks nice wow looks like the old west

[@elizavella]

although I understand there are some people who fall on hard times there are also people who just dont want to work. The problem also is how polluted the land and river is getting from all the garbage. And there is so much crime in Missoula now from homes and vehicles getting broken into, and also people getting attacked by drug users. Also women and children have been attacked by sex offenders who live on the streets and by the river in Missoula.

[@nathanielsmith4041]

rich people don't work. you obviously dont know shit about the real world.

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

Let the old guy stay. He seems happy.

[@sebmikolaj4753]

Noooo. It doesn’t look good it makes everything look trashy and disgusting this is my home they need to stop ruining it’s beauty

[@md-1]

@@sebmikolaj4753 Then being the Godly person you are,...let him live with you.

[@richardmorris7063]

Why doesn't his family help?

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

@@richardmorris7063 maybe he has no family

[@dorawilliams4628]

He happy, so that's good

[@JanetPendley-sy9yn]

Once the bears and mountain lions begin attacking and the cold weather ensues, another story.

[@raymondnoppe5924]

When I became homeless last year, I would of thought I would be the 1st one to settle in this area... I was totally wrong when I got there.

[@GgZoo-iK3to]

Glad, honestly! Just destroying the area n that is a fact.

[@MissionaryInMexico]

And to think that I was thinking of relocating to Missoula from Texas! (For my USA home)

[@brianball794]

It is much more beautiful then Texas trust me!

[@MissionaryInMexico]

@@brianball794 I have a cousin who retired there after her service for the government in Washington DC. I've been to Missoula many times, for overnighters. I love Missoula but I cannot understand the homeless problem there. We can blame most of it on meth and fentanyl.

[@idontwanttoputanythinghere4008]

We don’t want you anyway. I’d rather have my local homeless over out of staters moving up here driving up rental prices and leaving less than 1-2% vacancy. But the less out of staters the less homeless. STAY OUT OF MONTANA or go to Bozeman.

[@windansea5]

What safety measures can new business owners and residents expect in Missoula? It is worrisome, that city data shows Missoula crime was higher than in 87.6% U.S. cities!

[@michaellawrence5146]

Unaffordable housing = homelessness.

[@michaellawrence5146]

@Carl Mason Ignorant.

[@rangerdanger766]

lack of motivation = homeless

[@hayeslincoln3111]

Your going to have the portland people coming soon.

[@justincase2291]

Trust me, from Portland. Don't let this get out of hand. Most homeless are there by choice. Hold them responsible for what they do. Litter and vandalism should be cited for.

[@Medicbobs]

THIS is the real answer. Goes for everywhere. being in EMS I see a lot of cities that let this go and it makes the city undesirable to live in.

[@idontwanttoputanythinghere4008]

we have less than 1 percent housing vacancy. Trust me we can do with the city being a little less desirable. I’d rather have my local homeless people just trying to live over Californians moving up here driving the rental prices up and leaving no vacancy.

[@nurselisa40]

Rent in Missoula is outrages.

[@blu9645]

Never heard of homeless people catching Corona

[@s_p7231]

We are continuing to have discussions but the meetings aren't really taking place. Hmm.

[@soggybeannie2589]

I'm happy to know they aren't getting the answers they want

[@freedomwarrior9645]

Leave them alone. People have no where to go. People can't afford to live now days they do need to pick up there own garbage and keep it clean

[@appalachianflute2222]

Let them stay if they want to stay outdoors let them

[@I-Told-U-So]

Hey guys, did U catch any trouts?!

[@brianjenkins1729]

Ex-felon. Common story. No help once released and no training.

[@raymondnoppe5924]

Losing your children because of homelessness? Really? If suffer my children will suffer with me, if I enjoy life my children will enjoy life with me, no government got the rite to separate families... it's ungodly to separate and break families.

[@mickiofthemountains]

There's more to that story. That woman has some issues. I have met her before. Super nice sweet gal... just has some challenges.

[@Reptar4000]

Forced the homeless people to clean it themselves

[@rangerdanger766]

Montana liberals: this is not ok. Ya there is a problem WE DO NOT WANT TO BE LIKE PORTLAND. Open a regularly inspected camp with rules and regulations. If they dont like it they can go back where they came from. I fished this area as a kid

[@Diana1000Smiles]

I'm not a Montana "liberal" I'm an American Woman who votes Progressive Independent.

[@raymondnoppe5924]

To find a use for the are... make it a dog park and/or a hiking trail?

[@nathanielsmith4041]

yeah, just throw the people in a meat grinder and feed them to the rich.

[@sunnyday7843]

Our town made a lot of frisbee golf trails in the park / flood plain / former hobo area ! It works out really well . Free roaming security and dogs help as well.

[@hayeslincoln3111]

The woman has 2 dogs and a kitten. Im sorry what am i missing here. Dog food cat food. Picking up poop. You lost your kids. But you got enough money for dogs. Do you have a mobile phone too. I grew up poor. Theres a lot of things you dont need. If you cook your own food its cheaper thamn mcyDs. Wheres all the garbage from . Pizza hut boxes etc etc. And the proff of the basis of this problem. Needles.. get them off the street into rehab and hold them accountable for their behavior.period. your not helping them by letting them stay there . Shut the camp down and have the cops patrol the area .DAILY. they move on .

[@helloitsme9808]

Rents are higher everywhere due to the landlords trying to recoup money lost to deadbeat tenants.

[@raymondnoppe5924]

The tsos, once the people are there the churches start doing less, kind of of put the homeless people in a certain area and leave them alone and ignore them. Churches don't go out to give anymore since the tsos are now in place

[@Alexandra-ek6bb]

This Bob Vosen zombie is all talk, no action. He might as well say "Not my problem."

[@sho-mefreedom9753]

Handling it well.

[@ryozha7663]

How do they survive winters in a fkn tent?!?!

[@SubtractiveMoves]

I dont understand relocating them just to put up another tent I dont get it. How much would it cost for a shed with some insulation?

[@raymondnoppe5924]

Just found out, the temporary housing area, homeless are chased away from the temporary outdoor space after 3 months.

[@Reptar4000]

Unacceptable

[@tracycottrell5146]

And those people were probably sick of you moving in. Do exactly what you expect these people to do if you don't like it move out. You should be overjoyed that they couldn't afford to live in their houses anymore. You all seem to think that our goal in life was to be homeless. Maybe the homeless can tone down the music in the partying on weeknights but I'm sure it's hard to resist celebrating homelessness.

[@mattd.4133]

What does a starter home cost there $500,000? Lol no shit people I'd be homeless too especially when normal jobs pay $15./hour.

[@jg7535]

Better get rid of em before they multiply. Greetings from Portland Oregon. Can't wait to leave. The old dude's cool. Someone set him up in a backyard shed or something.

[@imnobody3490]

The one in red she use to live in Phoenix az

[@silaslaue6089]

My name is Silas Laue texting you I am not going to die do not put me no cemetery and no grave yard I want to stay in town

[@hayeslincoln3111]

Look at the garbage around those tents. Do normal people live live that nope. Druggies they will group together if you let them Evict them now

[@stevehardwick1578]

If I refused to work, I'd be homeless too.

[@SubtractiveMoves]

its just that simple.....lazy people wanting freebies ....right?couldn't be anything else🙄

[@jimfarrar4925]

What a bunch of bs..bureaucratic double talk...

[@raymondnoppe5924]

My brother paid his thenth for about 10 years at a church he was in, the day him and his family had struggles in life, pastor told him "sorry we can't help, but good luck (we'll pray for you's)"

[@raymondnoppe5924]

@Carl Mason what I'm getting too, people create and start church with the wrong principles in mind... that's why there's something to this oder of statement "either christ will come back and judge his bride or come back and get his bride"

[@yuriburkel686]

I keep my 10% for myself

[@raymondnoppe5924]

@@yuriburkel686 technically, only once when married one can give out of the heart, not 10%, when single God wants people to save for building a family? Lol

[@kellywright5282]

...gods will

[@helloitsme9808]

Hmmm...doesn't sound like the whole story

[@pattihamilton8912]

Don’t forget trash

[@GgZoo-iK3to]

No need for so many animals n he is NOT her. He least keeps it respectful.

[@destinyrichens1640]

He sick of them keeping warm?

[@ertreeservice9558]

Are the homeless local? Or are they from the blue states?

[@thegallivanter6]

City of Bozeman likes to buy its homeless population bus tickets to Missoula.

[@ertreeservice9558]

@@thegallivanter6 that’s the same thing California is do to us in Oregon!

[@michaelboyce4729]

Winter is local homeless and summer is blue state homeless

[@Diana1000Smiles]

How odd. You think Homeless people are political?

[@ertreeservice9558]

@@Diana1000Smiles well.. it’s odd that Portland Oregon, California and Washington as well as the rest of the blue states are the ones with the biggest homeless problem and that’s a fact! ( doesn’t help they made drugs legal too lol!

[@idontwanttoputanythinghere4008]

Instead of getting down on the homeless, get down on the out of state corporations buying up all the properties and leaving less than 1-2% vacancy.

[@chrislewis6488]

Hippies need to get jobs

[@Diana1000Smiles]

You've never met a Hippie. ✌❤🎶

[@thecross3381]

Leave them be

[@nathanielsmith4041]

RIch people should be homless, they think they are not like these people. Wealth is the same as lack of compassion there is no difference.

[@brettgaines3809]

That's nothing how would you like to deal with New York City homelessness

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

New York homelessness started out small too.

[@ertreeservice9558]

It’s only going to get worse

[@r.d.9399]

New York's homeless population is larger than the entire Missoula metro population combined. Totally different animal.

[@Mlogan11]

Affordable housing is needed. Corporations are buying up properties to rent to top bidders. Trying to earn enough for the ever increasing rent prices today with minimum wages is impossible in many areas.

[@24G-p5r]

Yes but they say they want their "freedom "

[@tracycottrell5146]

No Karen's in Montana? I'm sure you can find a bunch of angry rich people who said now that you residents got this place the way I like it I'm moving in and you're moving out and I'm going to make it so you can no way in hell move into a place at all and since you can't I'm not going to let you live anywhere. But it is the new American way isn't it? Native Americans are shaking their heads. They know how it goes down. Maybe it's time for each state to find some scrubby, nasty land with no water on it for some more reservations. Isn't that how we treat people when we take what was once theirs? And then we expect them to say thank you thank you oh you are so wonderful thank you. Maybe for Christmas you could set me on fire. I do wonder why all of these people that wanted to be homeless bothered to live in homes until they were priced out of them. Fickle I guess. I suppose I could go ask a bunch of people that are not homeless to educate me on the desires of the people who are homeless as they seem to be so knowledgeable about it

[@luciferscatmilk]

Homelessness and liberals nice

[@rangerdanger766]

That city is full of liberals

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

Our country is falling apart. This is happening all over America.

[@Diana1000Smiles]

Climate Change is the most important issue Americans refuse to discuss.

[@destinyrichens1640]

Oooo I get it if you kick them out they will magically become un homeless . Not just set up camp somewhere else.

[@jacquesreilly1850]

Clean it up, throw away all the tarps and the squatters' shit. If they come back, arrest and jail them- homeless problem solved.

[@Diana1000Smiles]

Except now your Jails are overcrowded with homeless Americans.

[@stink..]

First responder: “it’s a risk to help homeless people” … but isn’t that part of your job that you signed up for??

[@native_warrior1557]

Leave them alone

[@nuttybarz8676]

Maybe people should show some dignity and decency and give a fuck, even if you can't bring yourselves to be genuine about it. Pushing homeless out does not work,only makes it work. Y'all should be ashamed

[@sherryobar5750]

I will never complain about my HOA again!

[@raymondnoppe5924]

Also when I became homeless, I was kind of technical about it, I looked on Google maps and looked to where the walmarts are and where the food banks are. And this are is rite in the middle of walmart and a food bank.

[@Timberbeartrail]

Yeah you guys what you’re doing is you’re screwing it up you’re bringing all this attention there the people that wanna be there and you’re not helping the people that don’t want to be there what’s going to happen is they going to vacate everybody and that old man has been living there for three years the baker and their chef guy you know they’re going to make him move and you know how would you like it as somebody came into your home and made you move without your consent

[@raymondnoppe5924]

Now let's do calculations, there's 9-10 churches in Missoula, if 20 people from every church built living quarters in their back yards. How many homeless would not be anymore? Besides that, in the hour of need, where does one go? You go to God, where do you find God? You find God at a church, if churches can't help, then it's like not even God want to help to prevent homelessness in your life... remember, it's like and not it is.

[@GgZoo-iK3to]

Yea n yet the church communities can't figure it out!

[@raymondnoppe5924]

@@GgZoo-iK3tomeaning the wrong kind of leadership in churches? Lol

[@aaronholmstrom390]

They will shoot up and get drunk in your backyard for free. Sounds like a great idea.

[@raymondnoppe5924]

@@aaronholmstrom390 yep, go ahead and see the negativeness in a positive idea, yet it's only an idea

[@sunnyday7843]

I know churches do a free community meal - but I had a recent housing crisis and my 10 year long membership at a church didn’t even warrant a phone call to check on me

[@destinyrichens1640]

You do realize homeless are tax payers as well right?

[@aaronholmstrom390]

You mean the residents who pay taxes for their food stamps, unemployment, disability and other benefits so they can continue the toxic behavior. I’ve given a beggar $10 for a hot meal he asked for, went into 7/11 to get 2 bud ice’s and a pack of cigarettes.

[@ChuckNorris-ju5fn]

Hard pass….I hate how these leeches of society screw everyone else We don’t want to see that crap

[@kennywood8668]

Where are u going to put these people if u ran them off this land if there not steeling our robbing people then leave Them alone

[@INFJ595]

Cr⚡me in minute s.... 🚨A .I.*🚨 In second s.... dark ally's-bright freeways....choose wisely : 1. + 9.1 M jobs available 🇺🇲 2. + 4.2 % in Gov't/ Military. Via MDT*