Kalispell City Council Public Comment from Tonya Horn, Warming CenterAimee Brunckhorst
From: Flathead Warming Center FWC <flatheadwarmingcenter@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 1, 2023 1:24 PM
To: Kalispell City Council; Doug Russell
Subject: EXTERNAL Kalispell City Council Information
Hello.
Please take a moment to read this short piece from a Missoula Councilman.
https://missoulacurrent.com/viewpoint-missoula-homeless/
The councilman makes some good points.
I can only imagine the heat that you are getting regarding the homeless. I do not like what is happening in our
community either and I too feel the heat. I want to fix it all! I can't. I am not pleased with the groups of individuals,
especially when behaviors become alarming. The collaborative's homeless outreach and the Warming Center is working
with the homeless community to continue our efforts to educate about being a good neighbor. It will take much more
than we can do to hold individuals accountable for their behaviors and to get individuals to psychiatric and addiction
services.
The Flathead Warming Center Board is focused on solutions that can benefit our entire community. Recently, I reached
out to PJ in the Planning Department. We are taking initial steps for expansion. We have no desire to expand beds just
for the sake of having more beds. Rather, we are focused on more space to provide more services, tools, resources, and
opportunities for individuals to become well and be able to move beyond homelessness. We do not plan to do this
alone. We are looking to provide space for our community partners to meet the treatment needs of our homeless
community. When the time is right, I really look forward to sharing the vision with you and I will be asking for your
support.
As a community, we have to do something different.
Commissioner Brodehl came to visit. I appreciated his visit. Unfortunately, we disagreed more than we agree. However,
it was an important visit. The Commissioner has been vocal that he does not want the homeless in the Flathead and he
inquired as to if our conditional use permit will expire. Along with their letter to the community, I can take his question
in no other way than he does not want the Warming Center to exist. You have been called upon not to allow for
expansion. Commissioner Brodehl states that he does not know the solution and he did not seem to accept the solutions
I presented. The idea of... if we stop helpinging people in the Flathead, they will move on is WRONG. First, "they" do not
just move away. Secondly, the majority whom we serve (and individuals I have seen in the groups in Depot Park) are
from here! Several of our unhoused neighbors used to have mental health and addiction services and a case manager.
We do not have the services in our community that we used to have and now these individuals are homeless. The
absence of resources will not make the problem go away, it will make it worse! I continue to email with Commission
Brodehl and the County Administrator. We have agreed to continue to communicate.
The Warming Center is not going away. We are a part of our community's solution.
I am frustrated, but mostly I am heartbroken. However, I do hold hope!
I have met with Montana Senator Bob Keenan several times. He comes to the Warming Center to meet and discuss how
to bring back behavioral health services and the Flathead is near and dear to his heart. He is doing a lot of listening
around the state! You are probably aware, the Governor signed a $300 million dollar bill to restructure the Montana
behavioral health system and I believe local infrastructure will be a part of it. Senator Keenan is leading the commission.
This work is going to take a lot of time and I do fear that things may get worse before they get better.
I still believe there are things we can be doing on a local level. Ignoring this population and the problems (which are not
unique to our community) is not going to get us anywhere.
I am committed to solutions. Thank you for the support you have shown.
I have surgery tomorrow and I'm going to have to disconnect for a while. I have a cancer diagnosis. I am quick to let
everyone know that I am blessed. We caught it early! Recovery will take some time, but I will be just fine and back at it
soon!
The Warming Center remains open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for showers, laundry, lunch and with community
resources serving individuals on -site. We have hired Audrey Tri as our Operations Coordinator and she will graduate in
the fall with her master's in social work. I look forward to sharing how her skills will greatly contribute to our plans.
Thank you for your time.
Tanya Horn
Executive Director
Flathead Warming Center
(406) 250-8652