The city and county of Missoula opened a legal campsite on Tuesday for people experiencing homelessness.
It’s one way the two governments are addressing the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in the area.
In the first few hours after the campground opened, about four of the 40 spots had been claimed. Snow is cleared to set up tents.
Tim Phillips says it’s a nice alternative to crowded shelters.
“This is nice, that we’re able to have our own space — our own tents, you know, houses," he said.
Staff from local housing, counseling and mental health services are on hand to greet people who start using the camp.
“I think folks are really appreciative to have a site that meets a different need and is more spread out, a little bit more flexible and they can set up their space the way they want it,” said Emily Armstrong, the reaching home manager with the city of Missoula.
The city and county opened the site on Clark Fork Lane in Missoula to address unlawful camping near the Reserve Street Bridge and other sites throughout the city. The campground will be in place until further notice. The governments used money from the American Rescue Plan Act to establish the campground.
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