Billings looks to Reno for ideas to address homeless, transient issues

Lynda Woods, project coordinator for the city of Billings’ Community Development Department, believes Billings is at a tipping point over its homeless and transient population.

"We have a need," she said during an interview this week. "Whatever the converging factors that have increased the population — and there are many factors — we have a need. The way to address that need is a several-point approach, including developing services and enforcement."

Last week, a group including Woods; her colleague, Brenda Beckett; Tina Volek, Billings city administrator; and Lisa Harmon, executive director of Downtown Billings, spent two days in Reno, Nev., touring that city’s facilities for homeless and transient people and asking operational questions of the staff and of residents.

By Mike Ferguson

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