Study resolution on coordinated homeless services

69th Legislature HJ0043.2
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 43
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 43
2 INTRODUCED BY M. NIKOLAKAKOS, B. GILLESPIE, J. TREBAS, C. NEUMANN, K. ZOLNIKOV, L. DEMING,
3 E. BUTTREY, B. CARTER, L. JONES, J. LYNCH, G. NIKOLAKAKOS, C. SCHOMER
4
5 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
6 MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF COORDINATED HOMELESS SERVICES; AND
7 REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.
8
9 WHEREAS, 9,352 Montanans needed shelter services in 2023; and
10 WHEREAS, 3,215 of those Montanans reported having at least one type of disabling condition; and
11 WHEREAS, stable housing results in better outcomes for individuals with physical disabilities, mental
12 health disorders, or substance abuse disorders; and
13 WHEREAS, between 2022 and 2024 the number of people in Montana seeking homeless services
14 increased by 10% and the number of chronically homeless people in Montana increased by 13.5%, according
15 to the Homeless Management Information System; and
16 WHEREAS, an evaluation conducted by the Montana Healthcare Foundation on permanent supportive
17 housing programs in Montana found a 48% reduction in detention center costs, a 3.8 times reduction in
18 emergency visits, and a 6.7 times reduction in total health costs after 6 months of being housed; and
19 WHEREAS, people who receive permanent supportive housing have a 98.12% retentional rate, which
20 was indicated by the percentage of people in permanent housing programs, excluding rapid rehousing
21 programs, retaining housing during the reporting year.
22
23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
24 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
25 That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
26 committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, to conduct a meaningful and robust study on the benefits to the
27 state when homeless service providers are able to provide coordinated homeless services, including
28 wraparound services, and permanent supportive housing.
69th Legislature HJ0043.2
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 43
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee:
2 (1) review available wraparound services, which refers to stabilizing services as part of a
3 strengths-based planning process that occurs in a team setting to engage with children, youth, and their
4 families;
5 (2) review services that may be applied to any housing development for ASSIST homeless
6 individuals to access safe, decent, and affordable housing, INCLUDING SERVICES THAT MAY BE VOLUNTARILY
7OFFERED BY HOUSING DEVELOPERS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; and
8 (3) review permanent supportive housing opportunities, which refers to permanent housing in
9 which housing assistance, such as long-term leasing or rental assistance, and supportive services are provided
10 to assist households with at least one member with a disability in achieving housing stability.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in relation to wraparound services and permanent supportive
12 housing, the committee examine the efficacy, cost savings and offsets related to health care and public safety
13 and consider state programs that may support these service models.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee examine all available homelessness data in
15 Montana, including data related to the last housed location of individuals seeking homeless services and where
16 rural individuals without stable housing may seek services or shelter. The committee shall make a good faith
17 effort to examine data or anecdotal homelessness information from each county in Montana.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include input from appropriate stakeholders, including but
19 not limited to homeless shelter directors and staff, homeless services providers, Montanans who have
20 experienced homelessness, homelessness experts and advocates, local governments, and appropriate state
21 department staff.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be
23 presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
25 requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
27 comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
28 - END -