Response to the County Commissioners' Letter Against Unhoused People

It’s time to choose love!

On Thursday, the Flathead County Commissioners published a letter blaming unhoused people and the agencies that help them for the current crisis with affordable and workforce housing in the Flathead Valley. It is shocking to see dehumanizing language about unhoused residents, especially in the dead of winter. (See their letter at the bottom of this post.)

This article from the Daily Inter Lake reveals more problems. The commissioners’ spokesperson admits that they have no plans to address the complex issues of unhoused residents, like job loss, rising rental costs, long-term rentals being converted into vacation housing, health crises that wipe out savings, physical disabilities, mental health issues, and more.

Tonya Horn, director of the Flathead Warming Center, said she has given the commissioners several invitations to tour the Warming Shelter and discuss the actual situation of unhoused residents in the valley, but they have not responded.

During these frustrating times, it’s important to remember that we are not helpless.

The good news is a coalition of groups doing great work with unhoused people already exists in the Flathead. It’s called the Collaborative Housing Solutions of Northwest Montana. In the coming days, there may be community actions that arise to confirm that unhoused residents deserve dignity, compassion, and professional services. In the meantime, please remember that you can make a donation to one of these groups (links below), write a letter to the editor, or speak up at an upcoming city council or county commission meeting.

The Flathead County Commissioners may have power over many things, but they cannot control your compassion or your donations.

Here are some ways you can help.

Make a donation (click to donate online)

Write a letter to the editor

Make public comment

  • The Kalispell City Council has a meeting at 7pm on Monday, January 23, at the Kalispell City Hall, 201 1st Ave E. If you can’t make the meeting, please send city council members a message at publiccomment@kalispell.com.

  • The next Flathead County Commission meeting is at 8:45 am on Tuesday, January 24. Meetings are held on third floor of the County Courthouse at 800 South Main in Kalispell, MT. 

Here is the letter from the Collaborative Housing Solutions of Northwest Montana.


Please note that the letter from the county commissioners was published with the incorrect year.

Cherilyn DeVries