Innovative Missoula Homelessness Jail Crowding Solution Takes Root at Watershed Center

In the heart of Missoula, a fresh approach is transforming lives amid ongoing challenges with homelessness and jail overcrowding.

Tonya Ridesatthedoor stepped into town seeking a new beginning after prison, facing the harsh reality of no home and endless uncertainty.

Overwhelmed yet determined, she discovered the Watershed Navigation Center, a beacon next to the county jail.

This hub, part of the 2023 Trinity Apartments project, now operates full-time, linking vulnerable residents to vital services.

Chelsea Wittmann, justice initiatives coordinator, emphasizes connecting people at reentry to community resources to slash recidivism.

Recent reports show homelessness dipped in Missoula by 2025, with 644 households affected last October, yet jail bookings for unhoused individuals remain high at 18%.

Native Americans, just 2% of the population, represent 15% of the unhoused, highlighting disparities.

At Watershed, Tonya found nonjudgmental support, securing primary care, employment through staffing agencies, and her first independent apartment.

Feeling safe and seen, she credits the center for her stability and sobriety.

Born from a 2015 study warning of jail expansion without diversions, the center fills gaps with clinics, laundry, lockers, and pretrial programs.

Officials like Karissa Trujillo see it turning the tide for at-risk groups.

A $246,000 grant bolsters efforts to break homelessness-incarceration cycles.

Clients like Sixto Cordova quickly landed jobs and housing prospects, praising the welcoming space.

Missoula County leaders view this as a smarter alternative to more cells, prioritizing community healing.

As winter nears, Watershed stands ready, fostering hope and reducing jail strain one story at a time.