Resident of Missoula homeless camp shares thoughts on new temporary outdoor space
In September, he told us it would be ideal to find a field where homeless people can set up their own tents and have access to basic amenities. Now he says the new space, with waivers and check-ins isn't what he meant. Photo: NBC Montana Sky Team
MISSOULA, Mont. — We've walked the North Reserve Street homeless camp and taken a firsthand look at the problems for over a year. Now, in a response to COVID-19, organizations are trying to get the people living there to a new space.
They call it a temporary safe outdoor space, but one long-term Reserve Street camp resident tells us why he thinks it won’t work.
“All you’re doing right now is putting the Poverello Center on a plot of land so people can stay there,” encampment resident Kevin Sandberg said.
Organizers disagree. “What we are doing is bringing together a legal provider and service rich environment for the folks that are going to have to remain unsheltered no matter what,” Ashley Corbally with Hope Rescue Mission said.
Sandberg says it’s a start but thinks only the newcomers will head there.
“It’s great they got property for the homeless people to go to, but I don't know very many people that are on the island that will be going over there to you guys, I’m sorry to say,” said Sandberg.
In September, he told us it would be ideal to find a field where homeless people can set up their own tents and have access to basic amenities.
Now he says the new space, with waivers and check-ins isn't what he meant.
“They do their own thing -- nobody intervenes with them, nobody tells them to check in, check out; nobody tells them, ‘Oh, you can’t do this, you can’t do that,’” said Sandberg.
Officials say it’s the difference between a legal and illegal camp.
“There’s staff on-site to make sure that things aren’t lawless and crazy and people are stealing things from other people. Absolutely, safety is important, and everyone is entitled to being safe at this place,” said Corbally.
Sandberg says those staff members shouldn’t be just anyone, they should be people who can relate to them.
“The homeless community really has a non-trusting sense to all the outside sources, from city councils to all the people, we just don’t trust them anymore. They’ve been let down so many times,” Sandberg said.
For now, Sandberg plans to continue to call the Reserve Street camp home.
Within a week, we will know whether others will move to the new space.
