Montana’s Bold New Plan to End Homelessness by 2028

BUTTE, MT - Montana is facing an increasingly urgent crisis—homelessness.

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While the state’s vast open spaces suggest abundance, many Montanans are grappling with a lack of one of the most basic needs: a place to call home.

Rising housing costs, limited shelter capacity, mental health and substance use challenges, and a lack of permanent supportive housing have all contributed to a growing population of unhoused residents.

A Statewide Challenge with Local Solutions

Unlike some states that have implemented centralized, statewide programs to tackle homelessness, Montana’s approach has largely been localized.

One of the most recent and promising initiatives comes out of Missoula. On May 19, 2025, the Missoula City Council is expected to vote on a new comprehensive plan called “On Our Way Home”, which lays out a three-year strategy from 2025 to 2028.

Developed by a 16-member leadership group—one-third of whom have experienced homelessness themselves—the plan aims to make homelessness “rare, brief, and non-recurring.”

It prioritizes permanent housing over temporary shelters, calls for improved coordination among service providers, and emphasizes support services that address the root causes of housing instability, such as mental health care and substance abuse treatment.

What Makes “On Our Way Home” Different?

Missoula’s plan is notable not only for its scope but for its inclusivity.

The strategy was shaped by supporters from diverse sectors, including health care providers, housing officials, faith groups, and individuals with lived experience.

This broad-based collaboration is designed to move away from fragmented, short-term responses and toward systemic solutions.

If approved, the strategy’s first phase will begin this summer and will include pilot programs, expanded shelter services, and the groundwork for new permanent supportive housing units. The plan also calls for performance metrics and ongoing evaluations, suggesting an accountability structure not always seen in similar efforts.

Other Cities, Similar Struggles

Elsewhere in the state, cities are experimenting with different models.

Bozeman has expanded its warming shelters in recent years but continues to struggle with where to place transitional housing due to zoning disputes and pushback from residents.

In Helena, efforts have focused on a “Housing First” model, which places people in stable housing before addressing employment or addiction issues.

Billings has invested in a downtown resource hub but is grappling with rising encampments and limited affordable housing stock.

While local innovation is critical, many advocates argue that the state needs to take a more active role.

The Montana Continuum of Care Coalition—a statewide group coordinating homelessness services—has called for increased funding for low-income housing tax credits, the expansion of Medicaid for mental health services, and more state-level coordination between the Department of Public Health and Human Services and local providers.

Looking Ahead

Montana’s path forward depends on scaling successful local programs and creating a more cohesive statewide framework. If Missoula’s “On Our Way Home” plan is adopted and proves effective, it could serve as a blueprint for other cities across the state.

Still, experts caution that no single plan or policy will solve homelessness. It will take a combination of affordable housing development, mental health support, community education, and political will. It will also require listening to those with lived experience—something Missoula’s plan centers on.

Homelessness is a statewide issue with deeply personal consequences. In a state that prides itself on neighborliness and resilience, Montana has an opportunity to show what it means to truly look out for one another.