Des Moines' ethical "dance" to tackle homelessness

• Propane tank explosions and fires under bridges can cause structural damage and close roads, which happened back in 2018.
• Almost $7.5 million is allocated in the current fiscal year budget for homeless assistance, including emergency shelters, rehousing and street outreach.

Among the ideas:

• Barricades to prevent people from living under bridges.
• A $250k mobile hygiene unit equipped with showers, trash receptacles and laundry facilities.

Flashback: An encroachment notice process was developed in 2012 to standardize how DSM handles complaints.

• It allows those experiencing homeless an opportunity to appeal to an administrative law judge before their camps are removed.
• The city works with advocacy groups to offer aid to those affected before removing camps.

But problems still persist.

• DSM spent $54,104 and more than 600 hours of city staff time on camp cleanups last year.
• Debris complaints and conflicts with the public have risen, particularly from camps that are sometimes a few feet from trails.

• Site cleanups are often a short-term solution because those experiencing homeless frequently have nowhere else to go and simply build new camps in another location.

What they’re saying: City council members are trying to balance humanitarian aid with broader public safety policies, Melissa O’Neil, CEO of Central Iowa Shelter & Services told Jason.

• "It's a dance we have to make as a society, both ethically and morally," she said.

What’s next: New policy and program proposals could come before city council for further review in coming months.