MISSOULA, MT – The Housing Advocate Network, a program of Missoula Interfaith Collaborative, hosted a film screening on Tuesday night at the Zootown Arts Community Center, drawing community members together to explore the issue of homelessness and discuss potential solutions.
The event featured two films focused on the personal stories of individuals who have experienced homelessness, with the goal of fostering compassion and understanding for those facing housing struggles. The films highlighted the human side of homelessness, encouraging viewers to rethink their perceptions and attitudes toward people without stable housing.
Zeke Campfield, director of the Housing Advocate Network, spoke to the importance of community involvement in addressing homelessness. He emphasized that the event aimed not only to raise awareness but also to challenge the community to take a more active role in finding solutions. “It’s also intended to be a challenge to everyday people, people in our community, to say ‘hey, let’s not sit idly by and be passive bystanders to this thing that’s happening. Let’s figure out ways we can come together and collaborate and roll up our sleeves and work on this issue together as a community,’” Campfield said.
Following the first film screening, Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis addressed the audience, offering insight into the city’s approach to addressing homelessness. She discussed the city’s ongoing “housing sprint,” a strategy aimed at providing immediate housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness. The mayor also spoke about the city’s efforts to close the Johnson St. Shelter, offering an update on the progress of this transition. An additional update on the shelter’s closure was scheduled for Wednesday morning.
The screening provided an opportunity for local residents to learn more about homelessness in Missoula and consider how they can contribute to efforts to help those in need. It also highlighted the importance of community collaboration and the shared responsibility in solving the city’s housing crisis.
As the event concluded, attendees were left with a call to action — to not only acknowledge the challenges faced by the unhoused but also to actively engage in finding sustainable solutions to homelessness in Missoula.
