Shelter officials say they welcome work session with Kalispell City Council

Flathead Warming Center officials said Friday that they welcome discussing homelessness with Kalispell City Council just days after councilors agreed to review the overnight shelter’s conditional use permit in light of alleged complaints by neighbors. 

“We have always welcomed the hard conversations with our neighbors, overall community, law enforcement and the city of Kalispell,” nonprofit leaders said in a statement. “We look forward to this conversation in the spirit of a collaborative effort.”

Council approved a conditional use permit for the low barrier shelter on North Meridian Road in November 2020, allowing it to establish a permanent facility in an area zoned B-1 neighborhood business. Councilor Chad Graham, who led an effort last year to crack down on panhandling within city limits, told Council during an April 1 meeting that he had heard a litany of complaints about homeless people in the area by nearby residents and business owners.