Houseless Data

Missoula Coordinated Entry System (MCES) sees a disproportionate representation of racialized people in our houseless response system, particularly Indigenous residents.

These charts show that while Native American/Alaskan people make up 1.5% of the Missoula population, they make up 20.5% percent of our unhoused neighbors. African Americans make up just 0.9% of the Missoula population but 4.5% of folx experiencing houselessness in Missoula. White people make up only 70.5% of our unhoused neighbors while 89.5% of the city population. It is essential, too, to note that the above graphic accounts for one day of MCES information. This disparity is even more significant when looking at a year’s worth of Primary Race data. To see an example of a yearly assessment of Primary Race, check out pages 4 & 5 of the City of Missoula’s Equity in Action report.

Missoula’s unhoused population follows national trends, with single men more represented. The National Alliance to End Homelessness analyzed gender and houselessness in a 2019 report that explored some explanations of this phenomenon. The LGBTQIA2S+ community also experiences houselessness disproportionately, particularly young adults. Ending houselessness will require consideration of the unique reasons people of all genders become unhoused and what dynamic solutions exist to disrupt those situations.

Even amidst a highly challenging housing market, 74 individuals and families secured housing between December 2022 and May 2023. Many households were supported by temporary (rapid rehousing) assistance, others with ongoing long-term subsidies (permanent supportive housing, Veteran subsidy, and other ongoing subsidies). At the same time, several found housing with friends/family or without continuing subsidy. The persistence and hope it takes to secure housing are no small feat. Huge congratulations to those getting into housing and their support!