Flathead Valley sees a lack of services for homeless individuals outside of Kalispell

Officials from Flathead County’s three municipalities have confirmed interest in participating in a summit to discuss each city’s role in addressing the valley’s growing homelessness crisis.

Kalispell City Councilor Chad Graham first floated the idea of a meeting between all three municipalities at an Oct. 2 council meeting after he criticized Whitefish and Columbia Falls for not sharing in the responsibility of providing services for the homeless population. His plan received support from Mayor Mark Johnson and City Councilors Ryan Hunter and Sid Daoud. 

“First, I would like to get more feedback in terms of what that agenda discussion would be,” Kalispell City Manager Doug Russell told the Inter Lake in a recent interview regarding any sort of timeline for the meeting. “We’re looking at a very complex issue. That’s the nuts and bolts of it.”