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While Missoula subsidizes two other shelters for the homeless population, a strong showing of homeless advocates on Monday urged the City Council to keep open a third option open, that being the Authorized Camp Site (ACS), which is set to close next month.
The council voted to open and fund the Emergency Winter Shelter and close the Authorized Camp Site – an outdoor facility located off Reserve Street.
The city and county of Missoula will close the Authorized Camp Site off Reserve Street next month and place their limited resources toward operating the Emergency Winter Shelter instead.
With Missoula's Authorized Camp Site closing next month, some have expressed concern that it could lead to a resurgence in illegal camping on public land in other parts of the city and county.
City and county officials both suggest that other options for the homeless remain available and, because of it, issues of public health and safety will be enforced, including illegal camping.