Des Moines council OKs plan to aid homeless-camp dwellers

Des Moines council OKs plan to aid homeless-camp dwellers


A $305,000 pilot program to help people transition from homeless camps to housing won unanimous approval this week from the Des Moines City Council.

The program will help house 42 individuals and provide transportation assistance for up to a dozen others to reunite with their families.

"In light of the last two winters, I want to tell you how proud I am to watch this unfold with a lot of energy," Councilman Chris Coleman said at this week's City Council meeting.

Coleman pointed out that it was almost two years ago that a fire in a riverside homeless encampment prompted city officials to evacuate the camp for health and safety reasons. Two homeless people died on the streets last winter, he said.

"You're going to see people invited off the streets" in the next few weeks, said Coleman, who also serves as chairman of the metro area's Homeless Coordinating Council. "I'm really proud to watch so many different community groups jump in and say: 'We have to do something about this. We can't let people die on our streets.' "

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101126/NEWS/11260345/Des-Moines-council-OKs-plan-to-aid-homeless-camp-dwellers