May 13 Workshop from Erica Wirtala, Northwest Assn of RealtorsJudi Funk
From: Erica Wirtala <ericaw@nmar.com>
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2024 5:10 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL May 13 Workshop
[NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you
know the content is safe.]
Good Evening,
Realtors have been finding 'home' for people for over a hundred years and will continue this work into the future. We
recognize that there are a variety of factors that contribute to a person or family being home -less and that temporary
shelter is needed until a place to call 'home' is established again. The Warming Center has provided that interim shelter
to many and it is a necessary component to our community, coming to fruition after a homeless person froze to death in
their car. Cutting the Warming Center's hours of operation only increases the homeless's presence on the streets of
Kalispell as they have no where to go in the Center's "off" hours. Cutting the Warming Shelter's length of operation
increases the number of homeless on the street during the nighttime hours and exponentially raises the odds of
tragedy. What is needed in Kalispell is a place for the displaced to go when the Warming Center has everyone leave for
the day. A day center with mental health, addiction and job -seeker services, laundry and showers, childcare and
food. We recognize that this is not inexpensive or easy.
However, I would like to refer the Council to some success stories from other cities in the
US. https://www.governing.com/housing/how-houston-cut-its-homeless-population-by-nearly-two-thirds This article
(2023) indicates that if Federal, State, County and Municipal governments work together to solve the problem, then it is
possible to see a significant reduction in homelessness. It has been documented that Houston has housed 12,000
people in 12 years -a thousand people of year have gotten off the streets and into a place to call home. It can be done!
Our County Commissioner's tout themselves as being 'fiscally responsible and conservative", as does this
Council. However, as reported in the above -noted article, a homeless person can cost governments up to $96,000 per
year with police, hospital, and other associated services. A person in 'wrap -around care' in government housing costs
$18,000 per year. It makes much more sense to house people than turn them out on the street.
Thank you for your kind consideration of the multitude of comments I'm sure you will get tonight but we hope that
compassion coupled with sound fiscal policy will guide your decision.
Erica Wirtala
Public Affairs Director
Northwest Montana Association of REALTORS®
NORTHWEST MONTANA sso Cooperative Way I Kalispell, MT 59901
R E A LT O R 5 Email: ericawaa nmar.com Office: (4o6) 752-4313