Missoula, how are we doing regarding guiding the homeless people toward a roof? In my position I often hear complaints, but not often see a report card. First, while homelessness is a nuanced challenge, we define homeless as those living unhoused because of mental health issues, substance use disorder (and the influx of cheap fentanyl), lack of affordable housing, and amongst those three, personal choices.
A report card, of sorts, has surfaced. It is the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. This comes from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. The full 103 page report can be found on HUD’s website regarding homelessness in America.
Many have considered providing a way home for those unhoused to be an intractable problem, and it will be if we have that mind-set. Yes, this is a clear challenge, or opportunity, as we see it here at Hope Rescue Mission. As we get closer to the “report-card”, let me talk about the Missoula Miracle.
Simply put, the Missoula Miracle is the partnership and collaboration that we see across public and private sectors. From City and County officials, to various service providers, to many viable nonprofits, to us HRM as a faith-based nonprofit. This “miracle” is that we can all sit in the same room and not defend our territories. Instead we work on being a solution based collaborative. For example, the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space.
The TSOS is a collaborative partnership between Missoula County, United Way of Missoula and us here at Hope Rescue Mission. What does Hope Rescue Mission provide? We provide the staffing and programming as well as some of the funding, Missoula County and United Way provide the heavy lifting when it comes to the funding streams. All of which will need to be in a future blog.
Because we believe so deeply about the transformational development that we find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we serve to get upstream of cheap fentanyl, low wages, lack of housing, and mental health. Fueled by the Gospel, the Hope Rescue Mission’s passionate staff meets our guests where they are, and helps them find a way home.This is why we have accountability and responsibility built into our programming. We do believe people need a meaningful purpose to aid in their transformational development.
The report card? Here is the local report. At the 30 pallet site TSOS, in 2024 we served 115 guests. Of those 66 have had positive exits. This means they entered housing, entered a long term treatment, or safely reunited with family. 26 was the number of negative exits. A negative exit means they were at a higher level of care than we could provide, or they no longer wanted to participate in the agreed-to program, meaning we simply ended our agreement. 23 of those served simply packed up, left TSOS, and we do not know their location. What are the metrics? While we strive daily to serve and improve, we celebrate that over 64% of those we serve found housing and a path for a stable future.
Now the HUD report. Montana is one of only 5 states in the nation where homelessness decreased in 2024. (Page 9 of the report.) I do think the Missoula-Miracle had something to do with this. And for us, the center of this is our mission statement: By the grace of Jesus Christ, Hope Rescue Mission, through partnership and collaboration, serves, rescues, and transforms those in need.
Together, we are moving forward and embracing the opportunity in our society of mental health, substance use disorder, affordable housing, life choices and the broken systems of our day.
What is a practical call to action? Our entire effort is built on prayer and donations. You can join us in one or both! Prayer and finances trailblaze the path as we serve the broken of our day! Faith Forward!