We, the undersigned residents of Missoula, including those currently staying at the Johnson Street Shelter, The Poverello Center, and those unable to access adequate shelter, call on Missoula City Council, Mayor Andrea Davis, and Missoula County Commissioners to address the urgent needs of our unhoused community. We deserve immediate action to ensure dignity, safety, access to shelter for all, and to cease the criminalization of the unhoused. Our demands are as follows:

1. Repeal Ordinance 12.60  

   We demand the repeal of Ordinance 12.60, which criminalizes homelessness and creates unnecessary barriers for individuals seeking shelter and stability.

2. Follow Through on Promised Services  

   We demand that the city fulfill the commitments made during the initial 12.60 hearings and outlined in the ordinance text, including the provision of adequate shelter, housing, and support services.  This includes the map or list of these services as directed originally by the ordinance.

3. Establish a Temporary Campsite or Shelter  

   We demand the creation of a temporary, sanctioned campsite or shelter to serve as a designated space for use by those without access to shelter.

4. Ensure Long-Term Housing Sustainability  

We demand that the City and its housing sprint partners implement measures to guarantee long-term stability for those placed in housing. Temporary placement is not enough without ongoing support, individuals risk a rapid return to homelessness due to financial instability.  

The city must:  

- Provide follow-up check-ins with housed individuals to assess their needs and prevent displacement.  

- Allocate sustainable funding for rental assistance, case management, and essential services.  

- Hold sprint volunteers and agencies accountable for ensuring housing retention, not just initial placement.  

No one should lose their home because of systemic neglect. True solutions require lasting support.  

5. End the 8am-8pm Ban  

   We demand an end to the 8am-8pm ban on public camping, which disproportionately harms unhoused individuals by leaving them without safe places to rest during the day.

By signing this petition, we stand together in demanding immediate action to address the housing and shelter crisis in Missoula. We urge the city and county to prioritize the well-being of all residents and work toward long-term solutions that ensure no one is left without a safe place to call home.