If you meet HUD (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) definition of homelessness - sleeping outside or in a place unfit for human inhabitation (also domestic violence and sometimes staying in motel) - then you need to be assessed in Coordinated Entry System:

• You can be assessed at the Poverello Center, YWCA, Salvation Army or over the phone with 211

  • This is the queue for vouchers and rental assistance programs based on vulnerability score 

Whether or not a person/family meets HUD definition of homelessness, they have two options:

1. Seek housing through “usual” means → Identify properties, meet with landlords, fill out applications, etc. A volunteer through the Housing Advocate Network can help them with these tasks, including getting “housing ready”, advocating for them with landlords, helping them to re-learn their story.

2. Apply for emergency housing or utilize the community’s subsidized housing options, including Section 8 lists (there are two: One at Missoula Housing Authority, one at Human Resource Council). 

A participant can do any or all of the above, but should have a good understanding of their strengths and barriers before making these decisions.