Kalispell, Montana, a city with a population of 30,000, finds itself at the crossroads of a growing crisis. Over the past four years, the city experienced a population surge of more than 25%, largely due to an influx of relatively wealthy residents from California, Texas, and other states during the Covid pandemic. This demographic shift has resulted in landlords evicting thousands of tenants as they sought to sell properties or convert them into short-term rentals. Consequently, many residents found themselves unable to afford or even find new housing.
This alarming trend coincides with significant budget cuts mandated by the Montana state legislature, leading to the closure of mental care facilities. As a result, dozens of individuals with schizophrenia and other serious mental health conditions have been pushed onto the streets. In this challenging environment, the Flathead Warming Center emerges as a critical lifeline. It stands as the only shelter in Kalispell that welcomes all individuals during the harsh winter months without imposing restrictions.
Despite its efforts, the warming center faces resistance from local authorities. The city commissioners argue that homelessness is an issue predominantly rooted in liberal coastal cities, claiming that individuals from places like San Francisco or Seattle are attempting to export their "homeless lifestyle" to Kalispell. In early 2023, these commissioners published a letter accusing service providers of exacerbating homelessness in the area.
While official counts in 2023 and 2024 indicated a decrease in homelessness, service providers attribute this to individuals being afraid to come out of hiding due to the city's punitive approach toward the unhoused. This includes not allowing people to sleep in their cars, further complicating the lives of those already struggling.
The Struggle for Shelter
The Flathead Warming Center plays a pivotal role in providing refuge for those without homes in Kalispell. Its director, Tonya Horn, has been vocal about the challenges faced by the center and the community it serves.
“The commissioners set the path and gave a platform for hate in this community,” – Horn, the warming center director
Horn emphasizes that bringing people inside provides warmth and safety, which ultimately makes the community safer overall.
“When you bring people inside to warmth and safety,” – Horn
“you make the community safer. They get their basic needs met. You have to start there.” – Horn
However, this mission is complicated by what Horn describes as a climate of fear.
“Everything is fear-driven,” – Tonya Horn, the warming center's director
Horn also highlights a critical aspect often overlooked by the community:
“The community sees homelessness, but they’re not seeing illness. And we serve people who are ill – I can’t say that enough.” – Tonya Horn, the warming center's director
Community Response and Criticism
City council member Ryan Hunter comments on the city's response to homelessness, noting a tendency towards criminalization rather than compassion.
“The kneejerk response is always the criminalisation response,” – Ryan Hunter, a city council member
This sentiment is echoed by residents who feel marginalized by the city's policies. Will Brown, a resident facing these challenges, insists on being treated with respect.
“We deserve to be treated with respect until we disrespect you,” – Will Brown, a resident
Meanwhile, public statements by figures such as Abell criticize other states' spending on homelessness without seeing improvements.
“Other states spend billions on homelessness … but homelessness has increased as they spend,” – Abell
Abell further remarks on societal issues with historical roots:
“It started with the Black population of the United States.” – Abell
The warming center director, Horn, clarifies that while their facility offers critical services to those in need, it is far from luxurious.
“but by no means are we a resort.” – Horn
The Path Forward
Kalispell's situation underscores a broader national conversation about how communities respond to homelessness and mental health crises. The tension between local authorities and service providers like the Flathead Warming Center reflects differing philosophies on how best to address these complex issues. The commissioners' stance suggests a belief that external influences are exacerbating local problems, while service providers argue for compassion and understanding as foundational steps toward resolution.