Scoop: Des Moines revises new homeless camp rules amid opposition
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Des Moines has amended a proposal that strengthens anti-illegal camping regulations in response to pressure from homeless advocacy groups, Axios has learned.
The big picture: The revisions lower the fines for those caught sleeping in public and explicitly exclude jail time as a possible punishment, assistant city manager Malcolm Hankins said in an email to advocacy groups obtained by Axios.
- The changes were made late Friday, a day after DSM released the proposal.
Driving the news: The new rules will be considered by the council Monday at 7:30am. If approved, they could go into effect in as early as two weeks.
Zoom in: Fines for violators would be $50 rather than $120, under the revisions.
- The changes would also make it easier for campers to defend themselves against possible charges.
- However, the proposal still would allow the city to remove belongings in as quickly as 24 hours rather than the current 10-day notice policy.
Catch up fast: The new rules align with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that effectively allows cities to enact more restrictive laws against illegal camping.
Yes, but: That decision is not blanket permission for similar ordinances, the ACLU of Iowa wrote in a letter to council members Saturday.
- DSM's proposal is likely "challengeable" on legal grounds, the group warned.
- "Des Moines should be investing in real solutions to the problem of homelessness —not just endlessly punishing and moving people who are homeless out of sight," ACLU of Iowa director Mark Stringer said in a statement.
Context: DSM has struggled in recent months with escalating numbers of unhoused people and complaints about illegal campsites.
- The proposal is intended to balance public health and the welfare of all citizens, Councilperson Chris Coleman, chairperson of the city's homeless Coordinating Council, told Axios last week.