Missoula candidates push housing-first, expand shelters and social housing as solutions to homelessness

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.…