Homelessness

Montana is a tough place to be homeless. The state's annual ceremony memorializing homeless people who've died, happened to fall on one of the coldest nights of the year.

Sen. Jon Tester Wednesday announced the introduction of a bill that aims to provide more support for homeless Native veterans.

Nearly a dozen homeless shelters, health care, housing and faith-based groups announced Wednesday they are forming a coalition to lobby for more support for homeless services.

In the Bitterroot Valley, as in most of Montana, there’s a housing crisis and increasing need for shelter beds. A recent survey found over 100 people without homes, nearly three times numbers a decade ago. Until recently, there was no winter shelter in the valley, but the death of one man led to change.

Before some Montanans have a chance at finding housing they first need a cell phone. Programs in Missoula have worked with homeless clients to make that happen. But the money and the phones are running out.

The federal housing department said more than 1,100 people in the state used emergency shelters, transitional housing or other temporary settings.

The city and county of Missoula opened a legal campsite on Tuesday for people experiencing homelessness. It’s one way the two governments are addressing the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in the area.

Low housing supply is reducing affordable places to live, and Pew reports rising rents are linked to growing homelessness.

Bozeman’s seasonal warming shelter opened earlier this month at double its normal capacity to keep up with a rise in demand.

A tiny home development in north Bozeman will soon welcome its first 12 residents