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Des Moines council approves sleeping/camping bans after managers outline seven directives and supports
Summary
The Des Moines City Council on Aug. 5 approved amendments targeting camping and sleeping in public and an update on abandoned encroachments after staff reported progress on seven directives intended to reduce barriers to shelter, animal accommodation and storage; advocates and the Polk County attorney warned the measures risk criminalizing homelessness and urged more housing investments.
The Des Moines City Council on Aug. 5 approved changes to the municipal code that prohibit certain sleeping and camping behaviors in public and advanced enforcement measures for abandoned encroachments, after the city manager told council staff are implementing seven directives designed to reduce barriers to shelter use and to add supports before enforcement begins.
The manager briefed council on seven directives the council requested at an earlier reading: meeting with Central Iowa Shelter & Services to identify shelter barriers; developing animal accommodations with the ARL and noting potential budget impacts; identifying Public Works storage space to hold items removed during cleanups; continuing police transportation to shelters and exploring additional transport options; piloting two downtown restrooms in parking garages; hiring…
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