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(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines City Council will consider an amendment to the ordinance banning camping and sleeping in public spaces.
The amendment would allow places of worship to provide temporary shelter to people experiencing homelessness during extreme temperatures, specifically, when temperatures rise above 90°F, fall below 32°F, or during a declared emergency by the governor or mayor.
The ordinance banning camping in public spaces passed the council last year, prohibiting people from sleeping or camping anywhere on public property. Those found camping in public spaces could be fined up to $15.
Worship spaces could choose to operate as emergency shelters or allow camping on their property, but only if they apply for and receive a temporary use permit from the city. If passed, participation would be entirely optional, places of worship would not be required to open their doors but would have the opportunity to do so.
The Des Moines City Council will consider the proposed amendment Monday May 19.