At a candidate forum in Missoula on Oct. 16, candidates running for city council across multiple wards said housing-first strategies, expanding low-barrier shelters and new nonmarket ownership models should be central to addressing homelessness.

The candidates repeatedly prioritized immediate shelter capacity and longer-term affordable housing. “I support housing-first strategies, and I support low barrier shelters and services and ways to get people into housing,” said Betsy Cross, a teacher and Ward 1 candidate. Daniel Curlino, a current Ward 3 council member, said the city must be “a voice for renters” and urged policies to keep people housed.

Why it matters: Candidates described a two-part problem: a shortage of affordable units that pushes people into unsheltered situations, and local enforcement approaches that criminalize people living outside. Several candidates said the city’s existing temporary safe outdoor shelter program has helped but is too small; Lucas Moody, a Ward 1 candidate, said the program has about 40 units and “is not enough to meet the demand.”

Candidates suggested a range of policy tools. Proposals mentioned at the forum included expanding the temporary safe outdoor shelter; enlarging successful short-term housing efforts such as the recent “housing sprint” that placed dozens of people into housing; strengthening tenant protections; supporting community land trusts; and developing municipal or social-housing programs that retain rent revenue locally rather than sending it to private, for-profit landlords.

“Decommodifying housing is the only way to get it affordable,” Moody said, arguing for community land trusts and social housing that would “pay for itself because the rents…would in fact be reinvested into the program.” Several candidates pointed to the Villaggio Apartments and the Revara (also referenced as a community land trust project) as examples of local permanently affordable projects that should be scaled, while acknowledging such projects alone are not sufficient.

Candidates also criticized enforcement strategies that push people into criminal-justice channels. Daniel Curlino said the city should “stop criminalizing people for being poor” and make stronger tenant protections, including a campaign for tenants’ right to counsel. Mike Nugent, a Ward 4 incumbent, said he supports mobile crisis response teams and funding “choices that aren't emergency room or jail” for people in crisis.

Clarifying details discussed at the forum: the temporary safe outdoor shelter was described as roughly 40 units; a vehicle-permitting policy allowing people to live in vehicles without moving every 72 hours had helped “over 90 people” per one candidate; and the recent housing sprint placed dozens of people into permanent housing. Candidates did not agree on funding sources; suggestions included redirecting existing spending on enforcement, using affordable housing trust fund proceeds, bonding, and public–private partnerships.

What candidates did not decide: Forum remarks were largely proposals and priorities; no council votes or formal commitments were made at the event. Candidates varied on emphasis and specific funding mechanisms, and several said they would pursue more details and community input if elected.

Ending: Candidates urged additional collaboration among city staff, nonprofit providers and residents, and several invited voters to follow up after the forum for details on implementation and funding.