Everyone needs stable housing. Shelters provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, case management, mental health and substance use disorder support, and help to find permanent housing.

Low vacancy rates, lack of housing people can afford, rental prices outpacing wages, a lack of mental health services, and lack of coordinated care all lead to long-time Montanans being priced out of a home.

For most shelters in Montana, the needs of the unhoused in their community far exceed their facility capacity. This problem has grown during the past three years, with many shelters seeing a 40%-80% increase in people needing shelter.

Montana has nearly $2 billion in the bank. There is no better time for Montana’s Legislature to provide funding so that we can take care of our neighbors so they can get back on their feet.

Please take a moment to ask the Appropriations Committee to support HB 380.