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Officials provide update on Highway 93 homeless encampment

Missoula Temporary Safe Outdoor Space
Posted at 3:19 PM, Feb 04, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-05 12:15:36-05

MISSOULA — Officials say the new homeless encampment along US Highway 93 is going well.

During a Thursday public meeting organizers with Hope Rescue Mission said about 25 people are currently staying at the location, and they are continuously working to bring more people there from the Reserve Street encampment.

Director of Outreach April Seat even says one person has been permanently housed after using the resources on site.

One neighbor asked during Thursday’s meeting how successful they've really been. Seat says apart from that one person, others are taking advantage of the services, and getting ID's, job interviews, and health care.

"I think people are moving forward. Because now they're starting to step into the services that they wouldn't necessarily trust or want to get involved in, because they have been failed in the past,” Seat said.

“So, moving forward is, I can say with confidence is what we're doing with each and every individual that is staying here at the temporary safe outdoor space,” Seat added.

Officials say they plan to continue operating out of the lot for a while.