State of Iowa Anti-Homelessness Bills Proposed
Senate Study Bill 1195 and House Study Bill 286 propose to criminalize homelessness statewide, putting Iowans at risk. These bills undermine the vital work being done every day across the state and disregard the proven approaches of homeless service providers to end homelessness in our communities.
House and Senate subcommittees are scheduled on BOTH bills TODAY, Wednesday, MARCH 5. Urge your legislators to oppose these bills!
The Proposed Legislation
SSB1195 and HSB286 will divert resources from proven solutions to homelessness, focusing attention on creating designated encampments that increase the risk that unhoused Iowans will be stuck in a cycle between prison and living unsheltered.
- Calls for placing people in encampents:
- Local governments would be required to designate encampments with no funding to support this mandate.
- This would be costly for communities and could lead to increased property taxes.
- Imposes a statewide camping ban intended to force people into the designated encampments with penalties up to misdemeanor charges.
- Creates enhanced drug crime penalties for activities that are already illegal:
- All areas where unhoused individuals receive services would be labeled as “Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones,” stigmatizing those who need help.
- Imposes super-charged penalties on program participants as well as homeless service programs and staff themselves if violations occur.
- Introduces new, duplicative reporting requirements for service providers that strain resources.
Unfunded Mandates with Consequences: This legislation not only imposes unfunded mandates but also introduces monetary fines and potential incarceration for noncompliance, further burdening local governments and organizations.
The Impacts for CMC
These two bills mandate a new designation of “drug-free homeless service zones” around homeless service facilities, penalizing unhoused individuals for mental illness, including substance use disorders. Furthermore, the bills would hold homeless service agencies like CMC liable for substance use occurring in the vicinity of their facilities, even if those individuals are not part of their programs.
Liability for Substance Use Near our Facility:
As a provider of Transitional Housing for women, CMC could be held liable for substance use occurring on or near the property. This includes activities happening in the vicinity of the facility, even involving individuals who are not part of CMC’s programs, over which we have no legal control. If substance use occurs near CMC property, the proposed legislation would impose fees and prohibit us from receiving state funding for three years.
Diversion of Resources to Duplicate Reporting:
The legislation would require CMC to allocate additional staff time to meet duplicate reporting requirements, diverting valuable resources from direct client services. Homeless service agencies like CMC already submit extensive information on occupancy rates and client demographics through the annual Housing Inventory Count, part of the coordinated state-wide response to homelessness. The new reporting mandates would add administrative burdens, reducing staff capacity for providing direct service.
CMC has been operating Transitional Housing for women for 35 years. CMC provides a sober living environment for residents, many of whom are in recovery from substance use disorders. Penalizing unhoused individuals for mental illnesses including substance use disorders further contributes to an ongoing cycle of homelessness. Housing, treatment, and support for individuals living with substance use disorder are proven solutions. Fines and criminal records introduce additional barriers to lifting people out of the cycle of homelessness, making it more difficult for unhoused individuals and families to secure stable housing.
How You Can Help:
These bills have been fast-tracked: BOTH House and Senate subcommittees are scheduled for TODAY, Wednesday, March 5. You can play a part in ensuring access to services is prioritized for all people living unhoused in communities across Iowa, but you must act quickly. Contact your legislators, tell them how this impacts you and your community, and ask them to oppose SSB1195 and HSB286.
Senate Subcommittee for SSB1195:
The Senate Subcommittee Hearing for SSB1195 is scheduled for today at 12:30pm in the Senate Lounge. Please Contact Subcommittee Members with your Concerns:
- Cherielynn Westrich (R, District 13)
- Dave Sires (R, District 38)
- Janice Weiner (D, District 45)
- Join the SSB1195 subcommittee Zoom
- Meeting ID: 853 2583 7624, Passcode: 891284
Register your Public Comment for SSB1195
House Subcommittee for HSB286:
The House Subcommittee Hearing for HSB286 is scheduled for today at 4:30pm in Room 19. Please Contact Subcommittee Members with your Concerns:
- Steven C. Holt (R, District 12)
- Lindsay James (D, District 71)
- Judd Lawler (R, District 91)
- Join the HSB286 subcommittee Online
- Join By Phone: 14084189388, Access Code: 24850229036
