MISSOULA – The Missoula City Council is expected to hear from northside business owners Monday night about concerns that the homeless are having some impacts on the neighborhood surrounding the Poverello Center.
Some of those business owners say they deal with littering, public urination and continuous drug sales and use in the area.
Many of Missoula’s homeless population really gather in two key areas, downtown and outside the Poverello Center where they can find sleep, food, safety and shelter.
However, as the center is seeing a spike in use, it’s caused some growing concerns among businesses in the area over drug use, theft and loitering. The Poverelo Center responded by adding that they prioritize being a good neighbor and want to address those complaints.
However, business owners want to go a step further, saying they want the city to step in and help in ways the Poverello Center can not.
Kari Brittian, co-owner of Tia’s Big Sky Restaurant says she’s ready for answers.
“I would love to see some proactive solutions. It is unfortunate that a lot of our homeless people need homes and need a place to eat, sleep and we do not provide for this. I would like to help and I know that my tax dollars go towards a lot of this stuff, but I don’t want to be throwing it away. I want it to be a proactive, solution-oriented situation.”
Brittain, along with other area businesses are expected to address the city council on these concerns during the public comment portion of Monday night’s meeting, which is set to start at 7 p.m.
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