Missoula County recently announced that the Poverello Center will reopen and operate the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space, or TSOS. I wanted to share why we’re taking this on and how it fits with the work we already do.
TSOS was created during the COVID pandemic through a partnership with Missoula County, United Way of Missoula County, and Hope Rescue Mission. It’s on County-owned land near Mullan Road and Broadway and has 30 hard-sided shelters with beds, lockable doors, windows, electricity, heat in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer. Approximately 35 to 40 people can stay there at a time. Over the years, TSOS has served hundreds of people and helped many move into housing.
Earlier this year, Hope Rescue Mission announced that it would wind down its operation of TSOS to focus on other priorities. We hope to reopen the site in November.
Most people know the Pov for our emergency shelter. We provide food, a safe place to sleep, and help connecting to services. That work is a big part of who we are, but it isn’t all we do.
Our staff work with people living outside, staying in shelter, and preparing to move into housing. They build relationships, respond when someone is in crisis, help people access health care and benefits, and stick with them through setbacks.
We also operate Housing Montana Heroes, our transitional housing program for veterans. We’ve just opened the Clark Fork, where 16 veterans will have private, studio-style units and support as they work toward permanent housing. Historically, more than half of the veterans who leave our programs have moved into permanent housing or another positive next step.
That experience is part of why taking on TSOS makes sense for the Pov. People need different kinds of support at different times. Some need a little help to find housing. Others need time, treatment, or more consistent support. And some need a level of care that our community still struggles to provide. We’ve learned over more than 50 years that no single program will work for everyone.
We’re looking forward to reopening TSOS with Missoula County and United Way. We know it won’t be the right place for everyone, but for some people, having a private space and consistent support could make all the difference in what comes next.