Des Moines City Council approves preliminary plan to combat public camping

DES MOINES, Iowa — In a 5-2 vote Monday morning, the Des Moines City Council approved the advancement of an ordinance that prohibits sleeping and camping on public property .

Additionally, the ordinance limits the amount of days people have to remove their personal belongings from public spaces.

In January Polk County’s Homeless Service Planning Organization, Homeward, released data that showed approximately 715 people experienced homelessness in the Des Moines metro , an 11% increase from 2023.

City leaders say the goal of the ordinance is to make it easier to get unhoused people off the streets and provide services to improve their lives. This requires further aid from shelters and officials to help house the homeless or locate temporary emergency shelter, which includes direct outreach to the homeless, and creating a plan for them to get their belongings returned if they are moved.

At the meeting Monday the council was met with both praise and pushback, with some saying that the ordinance is vital for safety and prosperity downtown, while others state the criminalization of public sleeping won’t help those suffering from homelessness. But Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen says the City’s goal isn’t to criminalize homelessness.

“It is not about punitive, we clearly state a person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $50 dollars and specifically excludes imprisonment, and allows people to do community service to pay it off. We could [fine for] littering for fines up to $100 dollars, we could have public urination for fines up to $300 dollars, and we could do, if you’re in the park, [fines] up to $300 dollars. We are not doing that. Currently, our intention is to help people, and to get them help faster than they are getting it now,” said Boesen.

Councilmembers who voted against the ordinance stated they believed the decision was rushed, as the proposal was brought forth the prior Thursday, and already had multiple revisions. Those opposed also said that there was no immediate housing available to the individuals the ordinance effected.

The council will hear more public comment, and discuss the possibility of modifying the ordinance at their August 5 meeting.

Central Iowa Shelter and Services released a statement in response to the ordinance:

“At Central Iowa Shelter & Services, we are committed to working hand in hand with local, city, and state officials to address community concerns surrounding homelessness. Our dedication to uplifting every unsheltered individual in central Iowa remains unwavering, and we will continue our efforts to provide essential shelter, support, and resources for those in need.”

Central Iowa Shelter & Services.

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