Conditional Use Permit for Flathead Warming Center Public Comment from Tammy HarmonAimee Brunckhorst
From: Tammy Harmon <tharmon@krmc.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2020 2:23 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Conditional Use Permit for Flathead Warming Center
To Kalispell City Council,
I'm writing to tell you of my overwhelming support of the Flathead Warming Center. I have worked in social
services in the Flathead for over 35 years and have first-hand knowledge of the barriers and challenges facing
our homeless population. The current local emergency shelters have nowhere near the number of beds
necessary to meet the need of our homeless population. Many individuals and families are unable to use
traditional emergency shelters because of requirements to produce a valid photo ID or proof of no arrest
history. Nevertheless, they do deserve a safe, warm place to sleep.
It is important that the Warming Center be located in an area that is accessible to the individuals and families
that will use it, and that it is located near services such as the Food Bank, Eagle Transit, and the Office of Public
Assistance. It doesn't do anyone any good to have a shelter located so remotely the people who need it
cannot get to it. The proposed location on North Meridian checks all the boxes, balancing the needs of the
potential users of the Center with the needs of the community/neighborhood.
The low -barrier, Flathead Warming Center accepts anyone in need, so long as they abide by the rules while
they are there. The Warming Center has proven policies and procedures in place to protect both individuals
and families staying in the Center as well as the neighborhood. Last winter the Flathead Warming Center
operated successfully in a residential neighborhood. At the end of the season, they received many positive
comments about their operation.
According to the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, each individual without stable housing costs
taxpayers an average of $40,448* per year in publicly funded crisis services like jail, ER or hospital care. By
providing a warm, safe place to sleep during the coldest months of the year, the Flathead Warming Center
helps reduce the need for these expensive crisis services.
urge you to please approve the Conditional Use Permit for the Flathead Warming Center. A low -barrier
shelter has the potential to save taxpayer's money by reducing usage of crisis services AND to save lives by
giving shelter during the frigid winter nights.
Kind regards,
Tammy L. Harmon
232 Park Dr
Kalispell MT 59901
* www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset library/Ending Chronic Homelessness in 2017.pdf
Kind regards,
Tammy L. Harmon
Program Coordinator
ASSIST Neighbors Helping Neighbors
406.471.8715 cell
406.758.1451 office
406.758.3287 fax
www.assistflath ead.or
NEIGHBORS NEIGHBORS
Compassionately connecting people to the resources
they need to regain health and independence.
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