Houseless Data

Unhoused in Missoula

Aside from the 7 Veteran Family households, the above numbers are not duplicative, meaning that each individual or family counted in Missoula Coordinated Entry System was only counted once, for a total of 637 individuals and families. For the family count, it is important to note that only the head of households are enrolled in Missoula Coordinated Entry; this total does not include children or the second parent in two-parent households. We separate individual over 25 years of age and those aged 18-24 because those aged 18-24 are considered Transitional Age Youth, who have unique service needs and targeted resources.

The first four graphics in this series were created from data pulled on October 13th, 2022. If we were to take a snapshot of what houselessness looked like in Missoula on that one day, this is what we would see. The final image represents six months of housing destination data.




Age Unhoused in Missoula

The distribution of age amongst unhoused folks in the Missoula Coordinated Entry System is fairly even, with a slight spike for those ages 35-39. A steady decline is visible starting around 50 years of age, as those experiencing houselessness have a lower life expectancy than their housed peers. Healthcare for the Homeless predicts that life expectancy sits around 48 years (to read more, click here). Every year on December 21st, we honor those who have passed in our community at the Homeless Persons' Memorial. We are seeing an aging unhoused population in Missoula.

Primary Race 4.13.2022

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 total Missoula population, they make up 16.7% percent of our unhoused neighbors participating in the Missoula Coordinated Entry System. African Americans make up just 0.9% of the total Missoula population but 3.5% of folx experiencing houselessness in Missoula. White people make up only 72.5% of our unhoused neighbors while making up 89.5% of the total City population. It is essential, too, to note that the above graphic accounts for one day of MCES information. When looking at a year's worth of Primary Race data, we see this disparity is even more significant. 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 here. 

Unhoused in Missoula by Gender

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

Housing Destination

Even amidst a highly challenging housing market, 84 individuals and families secured permanent housing between April and October, 2022. Many households were supported by temporary (rapid rehousing) assistance, others with ongoing long-term subsidies (permanent supportive housing, Veteran subsidy, other ongoing subsidies), while several found housing with 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 supports!