United Way, Missoula’s Coordinated Entry System, Missoula Housing Authority, and Reaching Home; Missoula’s 10-Year-Plan to End Homelessness have launched a new program called ‘March Home’, with the goal of housing 40 people in 40 days.

CEO Susan Hay Patrick said the effort is to help house those with urgent needs.

“These are people who come with what we call ‘Shelter-Plus vouchers,” said Hay Patrick. “It offers several benefits to landlords as incentives to rent to people who have been homeless for quite some time, and may have some barriers to housing. There are currently vouchers available and these people should be in housing and not in shelters, because the Pov is routinely sleeping over 200 people a night.”

Hay Patrick said there are special incentives for landlords.

“Rent is paid directly by the Missoula Housing Authority,” she said. “The program offers double deposit, there’s a vacancy payment if somebody moves out and a landlord can’t rent the property right away, and our renters are working with our social support system to enable them to be successful.”

The program is open for any landlord, private or commercial, as long as the property passes a simple inspection.

Landlords interested in helping to house 40 people in 40 days are asked to contact Jim McGrath at the Missoula Housing Authority at 549-4113, or email at jmcgrath@missoulahousing.org.

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