House committee hears broad support for study on coordinated homelessness 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 efficiencies and policy remedies. "Efficiencies can save money for the state and limit the overcrowding and high cost of homeless individuals occupying jails and the high cost of emergency hospital visits," Yawake said.

Cheryl Cohen, Housing Division Administrator at the Montana Department of Commerce, said Commerce and the Board of Housing support the study and urged an opportunity to collaborate. She described existing financing tools — including capital funding and project-based vouchers — and noted Commerce awarded 44 project-based vouchers to developments last year. Cohen warned, however, that Montana’s social service delivery framework is fragmented and that uncertainty about long-term service funding deters developers from partnering on permanent supportive housing.

Advocates presented data estimating recent increases in homelessness. Ella Smith of the Montana Coalition to Solve Homelessness told lawmakers that homelessness rose by roughly 1,000 people — about 10% — from 2022 to 2024 and that chronic homelessness increased about 13.55% during that period. Using national per-person savings estimates of $18,000–$33,000 annually for permanent supportive housing, she said Montana could see statewide economic benefits if local results align with national studies.

Other witnesses — including Federally Qualified Health Center representatives, community action network staff, disability advocates and organizers — urged the study to include people with lived experience and to examine discharge outcomes from hospitals and institutions. Krista Gabriel of Disability Rights Montana said the study should analyze links between prior housing instability and post-discharge outcomes to reduce recidivism into institutions and jails.

During questioning, Vice Chair Buttrey asked whether the resolution would require housing developments to set aside units for affordable or supportive housing; Representative Nicholas replied the study would simply evaluate potential benefits of such set-asides rather than mandate them. Nicholas closed by asking for a due pass.

Next steps: the committee concluded the hearing and the sponsor asked that HJ 43 receive a due pass so the interim committee can gather data on service effectiveness and potential cost savings.