Great Falls candidate suggests congregated neighborhood for unhoused as tourist attraction

A Great Falls city commission candidate suggested earlier this week that the city’s unhoused population could be served by putting them in a single location as a money-making venture.

“I think that there’s a completely untapped opportunity with, I guess, making the homeless issue into a homeless profit,” Anderson told the crowd of roughly 60. “And there is a tourist attraction just waiting to happen.”

The comments were made as part of a candidate forum Monday hosted by one of the city’s nine neighborhood councils. It took place at the Alliance for Youth auditorium and featured the four candidates for the city commission and two mayoral candidates. Anderson is a construction contractor and is a first-time municipal candidate. He previously campaigned as a Republican for the state Legislature but lost in the primary.

The fifth question in the forum asked candidates what the city should do about the unhoused population in Great Falls. Anderson’s first words were, “Homeless island.”

The idea was inspired, he said, by the “poor farms” of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where people with little means could work in exchange for food and shelter. Some of the farms, including those in northcentral Montana, became places where people who were deaf, blind or suffered domestic violence would go as well.

Anderson, who said he was “just spitballing” ideas, suggested that the unhoused could have shelters built and sponsored by local businesses that would put up their signs as advertising. And the neighborhood residents would attract visitors by selling goods that they make.

“And what would bring in tourism is you could have a constant live market at all times,” Anderson said.

In a follow-up interview Wednesday with Montana Free Press, Anderson said it was a bit of a “harebrained” idea, but the basic premise was to find a model that provides housing and generates self-sustaining revenue rather than relying on grant funding. That money would go toward maintenance and basic services for the people in the neighborhood, he said.

“I think if it gives them money and it’s not degrading, then I’m all for it,” he said.

Great Falls has approximately 202 people living outdoors, in emergency shelters, or in transitional housing, according to the annual point-in-time count conducted by the Continuum of Care Coalition. That number was less than half the population recorded in Bozeman and Missoula and less than that of Billings. Great Falls Public Schools reported that more than 400 students in the district could be considered homeless.

United Way of Cascade County President Gary Owen is the local coordinator for the Continuum of Care Coalition. After reviewing Anderson’s comments, Owen shared an emailed statement.

“At United Way of Cascade County, we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect — regardless of their housing status. Homelessness is a complex issue with no one-size-fits-all solution, and it impacts individuals and families from all walks of life, including children, veterans, and people facing mental health challenges.

“We welcome thoughtful, compassionate engagement from all community members and leaders. We encourage conversations and solutions that are rooted in evidence-based practices and uphold the humanity of every individual,” his statement read in part.

Owen added that the United Way coordinates with 30 local nonprofits, faith-based organizations and government agencies to support unhoused residents and that these efforts have shown success.

The community has interacted with the unhoused population in various ways. This past summer, concerns about the visible presence of unhoused people prompted additional police foot patrols downtown as business owners voiced safety concerns.

In 2022, the city of Great Falls forced the eviction of an encampment of unhoused people at First United Methodist Church downtown. The city filed a lawsuit against the church for violating the city’s zoning restrictions regarding camping.

In September, stakeholders cut the ribbon on the Baatz Block supportive housing project. The project provides on-site behavioral and health care to residents who may have been on the edge of homelessness, offering a stable environment that meets their health and housing needs at one site. The project was possible through the efforts of multiple public and private organizations and a long list of funding sources.

On Tuesday, NeighborWorks Great Falls Executive Director Sherrie Arey told Great Falls city commissioners that the 24 apartments at Baatz had been officially leased.

As for Anderson’s proposal, he suggested the site of Morony Park, the former site of the city’s demolished indoor pool just east of downtown. The park is being redeveloped and has recently opened a playground with accessible equipment.

Anderson’s opponents also offered their takes on interacting with unhoused populations.

Joe McKenney, the incumbent commission candidate, lauded the work of the Continuum of Care Coalition and acknowledged the struggles associated with addiction and mental health challenges. But also said he felt he could get a minimum wage job, some roommates and secure housing within six months if “my brain worked and I wasn’t addicted.”

Commission candidate Casey Schreiner said that it’s unacceptable to have people freeze to death outside in the winter and that the commission represents those people.

“When you represent the commission, you represent everybody who’s here,” he said. “It’s not just the people who are housed here, it’s the people within the city limits, and that includes people who don’t have a roof over their heads.”

Matt Pipinich, the fourth commission candidate, said that unhoused people shouldn’t be viewed as an “other” group. He talked about a woman who died in the cold and lost her home because her husband had died. Everyone could be a few unfortunate steps away from losing housing stability, he said.

“All of these topics need to be carried with some great compassion, because these are other human beings,” Pipinich said. “They’re our neighbors. They’re our friends, and on the commission, they’re our constituents as well.”

Cory Reeves, the incumbent mayoral candidate, talked about his interactions with Larry Kiedrowski, a well-known Great Falls man who lived on the streets and stacked belongings onto grocery carts. During Reeves’ time as a police officer, he said he would have Kiedrowski over for meals and help him get to appointments. Kiedrowski died in 2018.

Reeves used the example as a call for compassion.

“I’m not saying everyone needs to run out and adopt a homeless person, but can you imagine if the entire community went and met someone downtown and took them under their wings and helped enrich their lives?” Reeves said.

Jasmine Taylor, the mayoral challenger, called for practical solutions, such as a public restroom facility downtown. That has been a longtime suggestion from current city commissioner Shannon Wilson.

In addition to continued support for organizations that work with unhoused individuals, Taylor said that a more fundamental shift in attitude is needed.

“If we continue to vilify those individuals or treat them as if they are not worthy of help, then we as a community will not address the core problem,” she said.

Ballots in the all-mail election are due by Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. Voters can choose one mayoral candidate and two commission candidates on their ballots. Find out more about the municipal election here.

In-depth, independent reporting on the stories impacting your community from reporters who know your town.

REPORT AN ERROR

BEST PRACTICES

ABOUT MTFP