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MISSOULA- Missoula Mayor John Engen appointed a work group to eliminate homelessness in Missoula over the course of 10 years.

Missoula County Commissioner Jean Curtiss and Missoula City Council member Jason Wiener are part of the group Reaching Home as are 10 other prominent Missoulians who have experience in housing and homeless issues.

The members are looking to problem solve on ways to stop managing Missoula's homeless problem and start eliminating it.

Reaching Home Co-chair Susan Hay Patrick says there needs to be permanent supportive housing to assist the chronic homeless population in the city.

"While there are some transitional shelters and transitional housing programs in Missoula we lack affordable housing sufficient to meet the needs of our homeless population," she said.

The group consists of five subcommittees that are designed to incorporate critical components into the draft, such as the need for coördinated prevention strategies, the need for permanent affordable housing and the need for effective implementation strategies.