Des Moines allows places of worship to host temporary emergency shelter; council stresses participation is voluntary

The Des Moines City Council on May 19 approved an amendment to Chapter 134 of the Des Moines Municipal Code to allow camping and emergency shelter as temporary accessory uses at places of worship, with council members emphasizing that participation by congregations is voluntary and subject to code requirements.

Council members voted 7-0 to pass the ordinance after a period of public comment and council discussion. Councilmember Kat Coleman moved approval and the council waived a second reading before voting.

The amendment is intended to provide clarity and consistent requirements for congregations that choose to offer temporary shelter, cooling or warming services, or limited camping on their property. City staff and council members said the change is not a mandate that churches open their grounds for camping; rather, it establishes a legal framework and uniform rules for congregations that volunteer to offer those services.

Public commenters voiced differing views during the hearing. Garland Armstrong, representing Ward 2, supported the proposal as a “good pilot program” and said congregational sites could help people avoid heat- or cold-related harms: "I think this is a good pilot program for it." Heather Armstrong, who also spoke, urged clarity that outdoor spaces at churches could be used for emergency shelter operations.

By contrast, Carol Frederick, a member of St. John's Lutheran Church downtown, said her congregation lacks the space, staffing and funding to provide overnight shelter and urged the council to increase support for nonprofit shelter providers. "Item 53 gives the appearance of action, but fails to offer a meaningful solution," Frederick said, adding that downtown churches do not typically have parking or interior space needed for sustained shelter operations.

Council discussion emphasized safeguards and limits in the ordinance. Multiple members reiterated that the ordinance is voluntary and that the code includes requirements intended to protect congregations and neighbors and to promote consistent implementation. A councilmember asked staff to return with additional planning material on broader housing tools and how religious institutions might participate beyond temporary emergency use.

The ordinance vote followed a related funding action earlier on the agenda. Council approved an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for Community Development Block Grant coronavirus-response funds (CDBG-CV) that city officials said would add $300,000 to support Central Iowa Shelter and Services; that action also passed on a 7-0 vote. Council members additionally noted, during the broader discussion of homelessness, several housing-related items the council had approved earlier in the meeting, including workforce housing tax credit projects and a $750,000 allocation for low-income housing on Sixth Avenue.

Implementation steps discussed include producing consistent guidance so congregations and neighbors have the same expectations and asking the City Manager’s Office to return with a short plan or white paper describing how similar programs have operated elsewhere and how the city would support churches that choose to participate.

The ordinance becomes part of the municipal code immediately as adopted; council members and public speakers said further details and operational guidance will follow as staff and council refine implementation.