COLUMBIA, Mo. The City of Columbia has decided not to move forward with investing in pallet shelters as a solution for homelessness, according to city spokeswoman Sydney Olsen. Instead, the city has chosen to fund three key projects: The Voluntary Action Center, the Food Bank, and the Columbia Community Land Trust.
Missouri has been experiencing a significant rise in homelessness for several years. In 2020, the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development reported a 39.2% increase in homeless youth. Additionally, the organization Empower Missouri noted a 12% rise in overall homelessness and a 24% increase in unsheltered homelessness between 2022 and 2023.
In Columbia, city officials continue to explore the best ways to address this issue. Previously, the city was considering investing in pallet shelters that would have been paid for with American Rescue Funds. It was previously awarded $500,000 in ARPA funds to go toward emergency shelters.
After further evaluation, the city decided the shelters were not the best solution to address housing gaps, especially with the recent expansion of emergency shelter services, Olsen said. In a statement sent to ABC 17 News via email Olsen confirmed the decision, emphasizing the need for alternative approaches. "The City is not currently pursuing pallet shelters in Columbia.
After doing more research on the pallet shelters, staff did not feel they would be best suited to help fill gaps in housing for residents experiencing homelessness .