HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA
Homelessness is one of the most pressing challenges facing Southwest Montana. Across our region, more individuals and families are experiencing housing instability, often driven by rising housing costs, limited housing availability, and gaps in mental health and support services. This page brings together key data to help understand the issue and highlights the strategies being used across Montana to respond.
What the Data Tells Us
Homelessness is increasing across Montana, and the data points to a growing need for shelter, housing support, and coordinated care. Rising housing costs, limited affordable housing, and health-related barriers continue to put more people at risk of losing stable housing.
More people are seeking help
Between 2021 and 2025, the number of people accessing homelessness services in Montana increased by 17.6%.
Chronic homelessness is rising
Over that same time period, chronic homelessness increased by 38.6%, showing the growing need for long-term housing and support services.
Thousands of Montanans are affected
In 2024, shelters and other providers across Montana served 9,231 people experiencing homelessness.
Housing costs are a major driver
Low vacancy rates, limited affordable housing, and rents outpacing wages continue to increase the risk of homelessness.
Who Is Being Impacted
There is no one type of person experiencing homelessness in Montana. Families with children, older adults, veterans, and people living with health or mental health challenges are all represented in the data.
Children and families are affected
In 2024, 740 children were served through Montana’s homelessness response system.
Older adults are increasingly represented
Providers served 1,418 people ages 55–64 and 624 people age 65 and older.
Many people face overlapping challenges
2,023 people reported a mental health disorder, 1,173 reported a physical disability or chronic health condition, and 3,098 reported a history of violence.
Explore the Data
Understanding homelessness requires looking at both local and statewide trends. Across Montana, more people are experiencing housing instability, with increasing demand for shelter, rising chronic homelessness, and continued pressure from housing costs. The resources below provide a deeper look at homelessness data, Point-in-Time (PIT) counts, and system trends.
Explore Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Data
View annual Point-in-Time count data, which provides a snapshot of how many people are experiencing homelessness on a single night across the country, including Montana and local communities.
Montana State of Homelessness Report
Statewide data on homelessness trends, including a 17.6% increase in people served and a 38.6% increase in chronic homelessness in recent years.
View Report →HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report
National and state-level data on homelessness, including trends in sheltered and unsheltered populations.
Explore Data →Homelessness in America
National research and data on the causes and scale of homelessness, including connections to housing costs and economic factors.
View Research →