Missoula to phase down Johnson Street shelter; mayor outlines housing-focused 'sprint' and April–Aug transition

Mayor Andrea Davis announced Monday that the city of Missoula will begin a phased wind-down of operations at the Johnson Street emergency shelter and shift limited city resources toward a housing-focused effort the city is calling a housing sprint.

Davis said the phase-down period will run April 1 through Aug. 31, 2025, and the city’s current contract with the Poverello Center that operates Johnson Street runs through Aug. 31. She told the council the city now faces an estimated $4 million shortfall in its general fund, and that federal one-time dollars that helped pay shelter operations are no longer available.

“The phase wind down of the Johnson Street shelter will be April 1 through August 31,” Mayor Andrea Davis said.

The housing sprint will be led by the city’s houseless programs department in close daily coordination with service providers and community partners, Davis said. The effort will prioritize securing permanent rental housing, reunifications with family or friends, treatment or recovery housing and other individualized housing solutions. Flexible funds will be used to hold units open, pay security deposits, address rent or utility arrears and cover transportation where needed.

The city…