The year on the Missoula beat

As 2025 closes out, Montana Free Press reporters are reflecting on the work they’ve done over the course of the year — and what they expect to be writing about heading into 2026.

This year, much of my reporting as MTFP’s local Missoula reporter focused on housing and homelessness. 

I spent several months covering the phased closure of the Johnson Street homeless shelter and a related five-month sprint aimed at permanently housing as many shelter residents as possible. I also learned more about the connection between a person experiencing homelessness and the likelihood they will be involved in the criminal justice system. That came from a new report linking the two and from visiting the Watershed Navigation Center. While it’s open to anyone in need of housing or other resources, Watershed focuses on helping those reentering the community after time in jail or prison. 

Missoula’s shortage of affordable housing — and housing generally — was a key part of conversations around homelessness and debates on city land use planning efforts. Following the adoption of the Our Missoula 2045 Land Use Plan in December 2024, the city this fall released a draft of its new unified development code, which encompasses previously separated zoning, subdivision, public works and parks-related regulations. The UDC’s proposed zoning map allows apartments and other multifamily housing in more residential areas in an effort to accommodate Missoula’s projected population growth. 

The issue of housing was even a major theme as candidates jockeyed for city council seats in this fall’s municipal elections, with many of them discussing balancing the need for housing with concerns about development. 

I also wrote about ways people propose to add housing stock: in the Missoula This Week newsletter, I reported on several plans for housing and commercial developments, including two on city-owned property — the Riverfront Triangle and Midtown Commons. 

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON IN 2026?

I’ll be keeping a close eye on how those debates continue to develop over the coming year.

In January, three new council members — Betsy Craske, Justin Ponton and Sean Patrick McCoy — will join the city council, with former council member Jennifer Savage also taking a new seat. Their first significant action will be considering amendments before finalizing the new development code next month. 

I’ll also be watching the progress of the developments announced in 2025, particularly whether efforts to build more housing will be slowed by construction costs or tariffs. 

Publicly subsidized affordable housing projects and programs in Missoula and statewide could see changes to their funding formulas next year under new federal policy. After announcing the changes to grant requirements in November, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Dec. 8 temporarily revoked the new policy to make revisions. It’s unclear what the new grant rules will be, but I’ll continue to monitor for updates on what it means for Montana. 

Changes to federal policy on homelessness and affordable housing will also likely remain a concern in 2026, as Missoula organizations continue to serve people previously staying in the shuttered Johnson Street shelter as well as families struggling to afford to live here.