KALISPELL, MT — The City of Kalispell has reached a formal settlement agreement with the Flathead Warming Center, reinstating the shelter’s conditional use permit after a lengthy legal dispute. This agreement follows a federal court ruling in November, which granted the shelter a preliminary injunction allowing it to remain operational.
The city initially revoked the Flathead Warming Center’s conditional use permit in September, prompting a legal battle that ultimately led to the court’s decision in favor of the shelter. Under the terms of the settlement, the City of Kalispell has agreed to several key provisions, including the appointment of a designated point of contact for the shelter, the payment of attorney fees, and the issuance of a public apology to the center’s Executive Director, Tonya Horn.
In a statement following the settlement, Horn expressed relief and optimism about the resolution. “This agreement allows us to fully refocus on our mission—helping the people who are struggling in our community,” she said. “When we help those in need, we make the entire community stronger and safer. We are looking forward to returning our attention to the work that matters most.”
The settlement provides a fresh start for the Flathead Warming Center, which serves as a crucial resource for individuals experiencing homelessness in Kalispell. By lifting the legal hurdles, the center is now able to direct its energy and resources back to its core mission of providing shelter, support, and care to vulnerable community members.
Local leaders have expressed hope that the resolution will foster better collaboration between the city and the shelter moving forward, as both parties work to address the ongoing challenges related to homelessness in the region.
For now, the center can continue its operations without concern for further legal complications, offering a sense of stability to both its staff and the individuals who rely on its services.
