Homelessness is Missoula

On January 31st of 2007, the Poverello Center was the lead agency participating in a “point of time” survey funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The survey results were startling and recorded the highest number of homeless individuals in Missoula since surveying began (the results indicated a 65% increase in homelessness over the first point in time study conducted in 2005).
The canvass found that 551 homeless people were identified in Missoula on one given day. 67 folks planned to stay in their car (it was 16 degrees that night). 54% of those in the survey were families with children (91 children were six years old or younger; and 150 kids were between seven and fourteen years old). 33% of those surveyed were employed. The Poverello Center, Joseph Residence and Valor House provided a majority of the area's survey responses utilized in this study.
The Poverello is the region’s largest soup kitchen and shelter.  We provide a vital, unduplicated service to our community and our region.

Source: 2007 Montana Statewide Homelessness Survey
Finding Solutions to Homelessness

The major causes of homelessness in the United States include a lack of affordable rental housing, rising rates of poverty, eroding job opportunities, diminishing access to healthcare services (especially treatment for mental illness and addiction disorders), and declines in public assistance – now exacerbated by the escalating costs of childcare, gas, food, and electricity.

Frequently Asked Questions on Poverty, Hunger, Homelessness, and the Poverello Center

1. What is the mission of the Poverello Center?

The mission of the “Pov” is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Montana. The Pov advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves. Since its founding almost 35 years ago, the Pov has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing, and service programs. The Pov’s comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to thousands of individuals and families each year. We believe in bold vision, decisive action, community collaboration, and careful stewardship of resources.

The Pov is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

2. How does the Poverello Center respond to people experiencing homelessness?
We recognize that each homeless individual has a unique story and set of challenges.  We work to meet their immediate needs, with the ultimate goal of helping them find and maintain housing.  We realize that a home is critical for safety and security, for finding and holding a job, and for maintaining physical and emotional well-being.

3. What services does the Poverello Center provide?

Our services fall in three areas: housing, healthcare, and social support services. For a complete understanding of our programs and services, visit the Programs section of our site.

4. How do you address homelessness in rural communities?

Responding to the growing incidence of homelessness in Montana’s small towns, farming communities, and mountain communities, the Pov coordinates with the Governor’s Council on Homelessness and other regional homeless providers to serve the needs of our rural communities.

Low wages, seasonal jobs, high rents, low vacancy rates, and limited mass transit contribute to the incidence of homelessness in rural areas.

5. Who is homeless and why?

A shortage of affordable housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty are the two major trends responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 25 years. Escalating unemployment, stagnant wages, rising foreclosures affecting renters and home owners, unforeseen health care and disability expenses or no health care at all, and exorbitant food, gas and utility costs have forced more people than ever into homelessness.

Children under the age of 18 account for about 40 percent of the total homeless population in the U.S., 42 percent of these children are under the age of five. Single men comprise about 50 percent and single women, 17 percent. 

Nationally, approximately half of all women and children experiencing homelessness are fleeing domestic violence. Thirty percent of homeless men have served in the armed forces. Approximately 16 percent of the single adult homeless population suffers from some form of severe and persistent mental illness.

6. How many people are homeless in Montana?

http://mthomeless.org/2008/
Due to the transient existence of people who are homeless, it is difficult to conduct an accurate census.  These numbers are likely an undercount of state residents who are actually homeless on any given night of the year.  Still, this point-in-time study is considered the most thorough and current count to date by government agencies and organizations working with the homeless.

7. How many people are homeless in the United States?

As many as 3.5 million Americans are thought to experience homelessness each year – over 1.35 million of these are children.  On any given night, at least 672,000 men, women and children are without homes in the United States.

8. How many people does the Pov help every year?

The Pov provides housing and direct services to over 3,000 homeless men, women and children each year.  For a complete understanding of our programs and services, visit the Program section of our site.

9. How can a homeless family or individual get help?
Please call the Pov’s central number at 406-728-1809 and someone will be available to you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, or dial 2-1-1 First Call for Help.  You can also ask a police officer to take you to the Poverello Center, and they will get you there with no questions asked.  The Poverello Center’s intake location is 535 Ryman in downtown Missoula.  The door is always open, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

10. How does homelessness affect families and children?

About 600,000 families and 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States each year, and about 50 percent of the total homeless population is part of a family. If children begin life experiencing homelessness, they will be sick more often than their housed peers, especially if they’re 5 years old or younger. They’ll have twice as many ear infections, four times as many asthma attacks, five times more stomach problems, six times as many speech problems, and twice as many hospitalizations – including 60 percent more emergency room visits, than housed kids.

11. What can be done for families living in homelessness?

Families experiencing homelessness need and benefit from services. Because families who experience homelessness have different needs, there is no cookie-cutter model that works for all families. Some may be able to transition into housing with minimal help, others require more support services to exit the homeless assistance system and remain stably housed. Once back in housing, links to mainstream services like mental health counseling, child development services, or employment training are important for building strong families that are no longer at risk for homelessness. To learn how the Pov helps families, please visit the Programs section of our site.

12. How do you respond to the social stigma often attached to persons experiencing homelessness?

We continually raise public awareness of homelessness at local, state, and national levels through public education and legislative advocacy programs designed for policy-makers, community and business leaders, other homeless service organizations, students, the news media and the general public.

13. How has the current economic crisis in the United States impacted homelessness?

The foreclosure and economic crises are significantly increasing homelessness and the number of families at risk of homelessness across the country, and in Montana. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has reported that preliminary data from cities and organizations is showing homelessness increases of as much as 20 percent.

In Missoula, the number of employed persons who are homeless has increased over the past year because of the tightening job market and decreasing wages. Additionally, because of layoffs in the area, Missoula has seen an increase in families experiencing homelessness. As we experience this mounting economic crisis, many of Missoula’s homeless housing and service providers are experiencing record need. 

The Joseph Residence has over fifty families on their waiting list, and the Valor House has forty homeless veterans waiting to benefit from their award winning housing and services.

From the first half of 2008 compared to the first half of 2009, requests for nights of emergency shelter is up 47% for single men and 80% for homeless veterans.  Requests for groceries from families with children are up 130%, with 4,553 families requesting our food assistance in six months (duplicated count for anonymity.)

14. Can people be employed and be homeless?

Yes. Approximately 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year, and the federal government estimates that 42 percent of them are working. In Missoula, 30-40% of people experiencing homelessness work; estimates in 24 other major U.S. cities are around 25%.

Minimum wage jobs, primarily in the service sector, pay below even modest calculations of the cost of living. As a result, many working individuals and families find themselves with nowhere to turn but shelters and the streets. In Montana, there is not a single county where a minimum wage worker (@ $7.02 an hour) can afford the fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment, working 40 hours per week.

15. Why is the cost of housing out of reach for so many people?

While the Federal minimum wage has risen only nominally since 1997, housing costs have significantly increased across the nation. Currently, there is no jurisdiction in the U.S. where a minimum wage worker can afford even a one-bedroom apartment at fair market rent. As the subprime mortgage crisis forces moderate-income households to lower-cost rental housing, the poor find themselves increasingly squeezed out. The widening gap between housing cost and income puts millions of people at risk of losing their homes and facing life on the street or in shelters.

16. Who is most affected when foreclosures force tenants out?

Mortgage foreclosures, involving rental properties, are becoming ever more frequent across the United States. Low-income and extremely low-income households are the most heavily impacted. Investor-owned, one- to four-family rental properties account for nearly 20 percent of all foreclosures. Because many of the high-risk home purchase and refinance loans now in default are concentrated in low-income and minority communities, the fallout from foreclosures is hitting the same neighborhoods where many of the nation’s most economically vulnerable renters live. The blighting influence of vacant and foreclosed properties also will accelerate the abandonment of low-cost rental properties in distressed neighborhoods, further limiting the supply of affordable housing.

17. What is Housing First?

Housing First is an approach designed to help chronically homeless individuals move more quickly off the streets or out of the shelter system.  It includes crisis intervention, rapid access to housing and follow-up case management and therapeutic support services to prevent the recurrence of homelessness. 

Housing First has gained recognition over the past five years as studies have found it exceptionally successful in ending homelessness for chronically homeless individuals, particularly for those with psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring substance use disorders.  Housing First has been endorsed by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
A December 2006 Colorado Coalition for the Homeless analysis revealed that utilization of emergency room care, inpatient medical and psychiatric care, detox services, incarceration, and emergency shelter were significantly reduced though creating 100 units of housing for the city’s chronically homeless and implementing a citywide Housing First philosophy.   Overall, a 73% percent reduction was reported in emergency service costs for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities, for a 24 month period, as compared to the 24 months prior to entry.   The total emergency cost savings averaged $31,545 per participant. 

Montana and a growing number of states across the country have implemented Housing First programs as part of their Ten Year Plans to End Homelessness.  Mounting evidence demonstrates that the Housing First approach works, especially for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities and those for whom more traditional programs have not worked.

18. Why are there so many homeless veterans?

About one-third of the adult homeless population has served their country in the Armed Services. Current population estimates suggest that about 131,000 Veterans (male and female) are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other Veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing.
Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vietnam era Veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war -- and a small number of Desert Storm veterans are also appearing in the homeless population.  Although many homeless Veterans served in combat in Vietnam and suffer from PTSD, at this time, epidemiologic studies do not suggest that there is a causal connection between military service, service in Vietnam, or exposure to combat and homelessness among Veterans.  Family background, access to support from family and friends, and various personal characteristics (rather than military service) seem to be the stronger indicators of risk of homelessness.

Almost all homeless Veterans are male (about three percent are women), the vast majority are single, and most come from poor, disadvantaged backgrounds. Homeless Veterans tend to be older and more educated than homeless non-Veterans. But similar to the general population of homeless adult males, about 45% of homeless Veterans suffer from mental illness and (with considerable overlap) slightly more than 70% suffer from alcohol or other drug abuse problems. Roughly 56% are African American or Hispanic.

19. Is the Poverello Center building a new facility?

The Poverello Center’s planned expansion and relocation of its Ryman Street facility and integration of the Salcido Center will bring to Western Montana a well researched, evidence based, Housing First approach to addressing chronic homelessness in the region. 

The Pov’s proposed new facility and supportive services acknowledges that current homeless programs are effective for some people but do not work for everyone.  In particular, the community’s traditional homeless programs do not typically work for the most chronically homeless individuals who live on the streets.  Historically, these individuals have very high incidences of mental illness, addictions, and physical disabilities.  There are also woefully inadequate resources for homeless families with children.  Further, the current Ryman Street shelter is not handicap accessible and routinely sleeping individuals beyond capacity (homeless individuals are literally sleeping on the cafeteria floor).  The Pov turns away 4-6 families with children a week who are in need of emergency shelter.  The new Pov proposes to remedy all of these community deficiencies.

The Housing First concept is to provide permanent housing, with intensive case management, for all these individuals.  Once these individuals have stable housing, they can then begin to work on the other hurdles in their lives.  The Pov’s program expansion and services will embrace a Housing First concept.

The “new Pov” and its programs will serve chronically homeless individuals and families in Western Montana, as well as those who have serious mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, co-occurring disorders or chronic physical disabilities. 

The “new Pov” will incorporate a campus plan, with housing and supportive services, on one site, serving many different demographics of homeless populations.

If you have questions about the expansion and/or relocation of the Poverello Center’s Ryman Street shelter and integration of the Salcido Center, please contact Executive Director, Ellie Hill at elliehill@montana.com.

20. Does the Pov help homeless people find jobs?

Homeless clients who enter the Breaking Barriers program work closely with Ryman Street Shelter and Salcido Center case managers to determine the barriers they have to becoming self sufficient and housed.

The Pov helps homeless individuals meet their vocational goals, obtain the income they need to overcome homelessness and regain their places as contributing members of their communities. The Pov works collaboratively with community agencies and employers to ensure success. Services are highly individualized in order to define meaningful goals, develop effective strategies and action plans, utilize available resources and gain the personalized skills and tools needed to seek and maintain employment.

Hundred of homeless clients find employment every year through the resources provided to them through the Pov.

21. How can I reach someone staying at the Pov?

The names of residents who stay at the Pov are kept confidential. Anyone wishing to contact someone they believe to be staying at the Pov may call the 406-728-1809 and leave a message that will be posted.  If you have an emergency or special family request, please contact the Executive Director, Ellie Hill, at elliehill@montana.com.

22. How long are people allowed to stay at the Ryman Street shelter?

Residents who reside in the emergency housing provided at the Ryman Street shelter may stay up to 30 days.  There are extensions given during the winter months and when the temperature falls below freezing.

Extensions are also given to individuals working through case plans in the Breaking Barriers Program and/or who are enrolled in the homeless veterans program.

23. Is the Poverello Center a religious organization?
The Poverello Center was founded in 1974 by members of different area churches representing many different faiths.  The Poverello Center is supported and maintained by members of every local church and denomination, as well as secular organizations.  The Pov does not proselytize, that is, they do not induce the homeless to convert to one's faith, nor do they recruit the homeless to join a particular party, institution, or cause.  However, the Pov fully encourages faith based organizations to participate in client services and administration on all levels.

24. What does Poverello mean?
The Poverello Center is named after St. Francis of Assisi.  The word, “poverello”, literally translates to “little poor man.” 

As a young man Francis loved parties and good times. He was handsome and rich, so he bought himself the finest clothes and spent money freely. Francis had no wish to study or to learn his father's business, as he was having too much fun. One day he refused to give alms to a poor beggar but as the man was leaving, he felt sorry for what he had done and ran after him with some money.

In 1201 he joined a military expedition against Perugia, was taken prisoner, and spent a year as a captive. During that time he fell deathly ill twice.  Francis realized that he was wasting precious time. He realized that he should be serving Jesus and began praying more and making sacrifices to grow strong in spirit.
While riding his horse one day he saw a leper and quickly turned his horse to ride away. Then he thought to himself, if Jesus saw a leper he would not turn the other way. So he kissed the horrible-looking leper, and gave him money.

Often he gave his clothes and money to the poor. He served the sick in hospitals. Still he felt he must do more. He fasted and began to go around in rags to humble himself. All his rich friends looked down on him and turned him away.  His father was so angry that he beat him and locked him up at home. Francis bore all this suffering for love of Jesus.

When his father took everything from him in disgust, Francis put all his trust in his Father in heaven. He said that he was married to "Lady Poverty" and he began to live as a beggar.  He had no shelter. His food was what kind people gave him. Everywhere he went, he begged people to stop sinning and return to God. Many men began to see how close to God this poor man really was, and they became his followers. Francis followed the example of Jesus closely by living a life of simplicity and teaching the Gospel message with great joy.
That is how the great Franciscan order of priests and brothers began. They helped the poor and sick and preached everywhere. Even after the order had spread all over Italy, Francis insisted that they should not own anything. He wanted his priests to love poverty as he did.
St. Francis had the power of working miracles. He loved all creatures and they say that the birds and animals happily obeyed his commands.
As a reward for his great love, Jesus gave him his own wounds, the stigmata, two in his hands, two in his feet and one in his side, but the humble Francis tried to hide them from people.
Toward the end of his life, he became very sick. He was told he would live only a few more weeks and he exclaimed, "Welcome, Sister Death." He asked to be laid on the ground and covered with an old habit.
He advised his brothers to love God, to love being poor, and to obey the Gospel. "I have done my part," he said. "May Jesus teach you to do yours."

It is rumored that on his deathbed, St. Francis thanked his poor old donkey for carrying him all his life, and the donkey wept.

Francis died on October 3, 1226.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

25. Where does funding for the Poverello Center’s programs come from?
Most of the funding to support the services provided by the Poverello Center comes from the local Missoula community, donors just like you!

Major Federal Programs that Address Homelessness

Section 8/ Public Housing. The Federal Government provides housing assistance to low-income families primarily through the Section 8 and public housing programs. The Section 8 program provides rental assistance for tenants who live in privately owned units, while public housing does the same for those living in units owned by the federal government. Tenants of both programs pay 30 percent of their income for housing, with the government making up the difference between that amount and the rent.  Locally these programs are administered through the Missoula Housing Authority and the United States Veterans Administration.  The Poverello Center’s Joseph Residence and Valor House participate in these voucher programs.
HUD Homeless Assistance Grants. Since the pasaage of the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act in 1987, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds programs specifically targeted to address homelessness.  HUD currently provides funds for permanent and supportive housing, shelters, transitional housing, and services.  The Joseph Residence receives money from HUD’s Supportive Housing Program grants.  The Pov’s Ryman Street shelter receives grant money from the Emergency Food and Shelter Grant and the Emergency Shelter Grant.
Health Care for the Homeless.
This is the only federally funded program specifically designed to meet the complex health care needs of people without homes. Health Care for the Homeless projects all over the country

offer an integrated, community based approach to make sure people without homes receive the health care services they need.
The on-site clinic in the Ryman Street shelter is a Poverello Center/Partnership Health Heath Care for the Homeless Program.
State Funding
The Poverello Center’s Salcido Center receives funding from the State of Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Service’s Addictive and Mental Disorders Division.
County Funding
The Poverello Center receives funding from Missoula County’s Community Based Organization grant (called the County Poor Fund).
City of Missoula
The City of Missoula provides no funding for homeless services.
However, the Mayor’s Office does facilitate the Real Change/Spare Change program which provides much needed funding to the Ryman Street shelter and the Salcido Center.
Private Funding Sources
United Way of Missoula County is a major funder of the Pov’s many facilities and programs, including the food insecurity programs, Ryman Street shelter, Salcido Center, and Joseph Residence.
The Steele Reese Foundation is a major funder for the Pov’s Breaking Barriers Program.
Other critical partners include: the Gallagher Foundation, the Brondum Foundation, and the generous donations of every church in the region.

26. Where can students and teachers find additional information?