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House committee hears broad support for study on coordinated homelessness services
Summary
Supporters told the House Health and Human Services Committee that Montana lacks consistent data and coordinated service funding for people experiencing homelessness and urged lawmakers to approve an interim study (HJ 43) examining permanent supportive housing and wraparound services.
Representative Melissa Nicholas opened a hearing on House Joint Resolution 43, saying the study would help the Legislature measure whether coordinated permanent supportive housing and wraparound services could reduce long-term homelessness and public costs. "Permanent supportive housing is a proven evidence based strategy to prevent long term homelessness," Nicholas said, urging a "due pass."
Proponents offered state and local perspectives. Patrick Yawake, representing Blackfeet, Fort Belknap and the Chippewa Cree communities, told the committee that tribal populations face high rates of homelessness driven by intergenerational trauma and gaps in employment and behavioral health services. He said an interim committee could identify…
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