Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

A bill for an act relating to homelessness including unauthorized use of public land, sanctioned camping, drug-free homeless service zones, and funding for homeless services, and providing penalties.

Subcommittee members: Holt-CH, James, Lawler

Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Time: 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: RM 19

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

03-04-2025

Giada Morresi

The vague language of this bill makes it such that any service provider would be criminalized for helping someone taking a prescribed controlled substance such as medication for ADHD or methadone, which is used to treat opioid dependency. This bill is cruel and further criminalizes homelessness, which is the wrong direction to place attention and government action. We need HOUSING FIRST policies that build truly affordable housing and provides a path for homeless individuals and families to have a safe place to live. The public camps that this bill calls for are not a solution. Housing is a solution. Do not further criminalize homelessness in Iowa.

03-04-2025

Claire Anderson

Housingfirst policies are the best way to reduce homelessness and that all people are deserving of care and support, even if they are not sober. Many of our local service providers are doing good, important work and want to see their resources expanded, not limited. Housing is becoming increasingly inaccessible, even for people who are fully employed we cannot help billionaires enact laws that punish people for trying to survive. Existing in public space must not be criminalized. VOTE NO ON HSB 286.

03-04-2025

Rachel Ori

I'm a lifelong Iowan. I've been blessed to live in multiple cities in our great state Beaverdale, Ankeny, Ames, and Downtown Des Moines. It's because of my love for our state and the various communities within it that I urge all members to vote NO on HSB 286. I strongly believe that the increased criminalization of homelessness is NOT the answer to the homelessness crisis in our state. We need HOUSING FIRST policies that build affordable housing and provide a path forward for homeless individuals and families to have a safe place to live. The public camps that this bill calls for are not a solution. Housing is a solution. The cruelty found in this bill towards nonsober individuals is astounding. Housing and care should not be based on sobriety status. Additionally, there are currently no exceptions in the bill towards people who may be taking prescribed medication for ADHD, using testosterone, or taking methadone for opioiddependency. This shows me that the bill in its current form is in no way ready to be voted on. Once again, I am asking you to vote NO on HSB 286. I believe that the homelessness crisis in our state can be solved just not through this bill.

03-04-2025

Whitney Free

VOTE NO to HSB 286.Folks experiencing homelessness do not need additional hurdles like financial hardship and a criminal record standing in their way.Recent history shows that the offer of services and shelter is not happening consistently, and we have a serious shortage of shelter and services in this state. Anyone supporting this bill is either ignorant to this situation or simply does not care about these human beings. What happened to "Freedom to Flourish"?Even if we had shelter capacity, there are many reasons a person experiencing homelessness may turn it down. Perhaps they have a beloved pet that is not allowed in the shelter, or perhaps they have belongings that the shelter does not have room to store and so they would have to give up everything they have. Perhaps it would mean they cannot take the medications they need. Many shelters are also underfunded and understaffed, and therefore not as safe or helpful as they could be.Furthermore, LGBTQ people disproportionately experience homelessness here in Iowa, which is even more likely now due to last week's heinous removal of their protections in the state's civil rights act. So this bill serves as another way to cause further harm to this community.Instead of pushing cruel legislation like this, why don't you work on improving the services and shelter the bill refers to? That is far more likely to solve or reduce the issue than fines and jail time.It's time to use your brains and your hearts and quit groveling to Kim, Trump, etc. or putting your own personal gains above your constituents.

03-04-2025

Jeremy HOFFMANN

HSB 286 flies in the face of the supposedly Christian Values of our state. Did not the Bible say "That which you do unto the least of my people, that you do unto me."? Rather than further criminalizing those among us in dire circumstances, please focus time and energy into lifting people out of poverty through programs for low income housing, mental health services, job creation, and drug treatment programs. This is a vile bill, and I trust the subcommittee will vote NO on HSB 286.

03-04-2025

Danielle Sanders

In no way, shape, or form does this bill promote the caring community you love to talk about in reference to Iowa cities and towns. This bill is harmful to those who do not have the resources or means to secure housing. It puts this already vulnerable population at greater risk when in reality, we should be working towards helping our neighbors in these situations. I strongly urge all to vote NO on HSB 286.

03-04-2025

Clarissa Angeroth Franks

This bill takes away local government rights to address homelessness in ways that best fit their community. An example of this can be found right at the start of the bill in section 1.2.a, prohibiting communities from enforcing this bill if it were turned into law as they saw fit. Vote NO on HSB 286. Let communities address this problem locally.

03-04-2025

Brittany Smith

Vote no on this bill, those experiencing homelessness are not criminals. We should be focusing on bills that support housing first as a way to support our unhoused communities. Putting our time and money to give these people the care and compassion that every person deserves.

03-04-2025

Luke Bonner

Vote No on this bill. This bill will criminalize homelessness and hurt an already vulnerable population. Housing first policies are the best way to reduce homelessness and help all people in the community. Vote no against this bill which seeks cruelty when compassion would more than suffice.

03-04-2025

Becca Mallon

Please vote no on HSB 286, a cruel and senseless bill. Criminalization is not the answer for Iowa. We must pursue a housingfirst approach, since all people deserve care and support. This bill will decrease the likelihood of unhoused people obtaining the care and support they need. Cicero Action has absolutely no business in Iowa's government, and it would be an absolute disgrace to allow their lobbying efforts to harm our unhoused neighbors.

03-04-2025

Hector Pagan

Its a shame that this bill was introduced by an out of state, billionaire backed think tank with the intention of fast tracking it on a funnel week and that some of our elected officials are going along with it. The way it is written shows a lack of understanding of the complex challenges of homelessness. Division 3 doesnt even account for use of prescription drugs. Focusing on criminalization instead of support will definitely increase barriers, waste public funds on enforcement instead of solutions and worsen the issues it claims is trying to fix. Approaches like Housing First demonstrate that stable housing coupled with supportive services is the most effective way to improve conditions. I urge every member to vote against this bill and instead focus on proven supportive solutions.

03-04-2025

K Olsen

This bill is deplorable. Homeless people should not be criminalized for simply existing in public. Why not spend your time finding solutions? Ways to cap or lower rent? Expanding shelters? You people who consider yourself Christians need to reflect on Matthew 25:4045 40 The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.44 They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?45 He will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.

03-04-2025

Blakely Mortvedt

Vote NO on this bill. I would love for you all to take the time to actually help people, instead of continuing to take rights away from people and hurt those without other options. Homelessness will not be solved by criminalizing it!

03-04-2025

Hailey Franzen

Vote NO. The criminalization of homelessness, will not solve homelessness. Programs in our state have piloted and held housing first programs successfully over the last 7 years. The housing first models ensures that individuals with disabilities (including substance use disorders) and chronic homelessness status are able to receive housing and optin social and medical services. Providing people in these categories homes lowers the public tax dollar burden and increases the wellbeing of individuals housed by lowering their jail stays, emergency room visits, and court hearings for homelessness charges, or those charges that would be avoided if individuals had homes. Communities benefit from housing first programs and this proposal will harm both individuals experiencing homelessness and the providers on the streets building relationships to get folks housed. By making it a crime to sleep outside in public city areas, state wide, we will make it harder for individuals to be housed. Shelters are already at max capacity year round, and following discharges from jail or emergency rooms, folks without housing will again be on the streets to repeat the cycle. If they pick up extra charges as a result, it will make it harder to pass background checks for standard housing, which will ensure folks cannot exit street level homelessness. Rather than criminalizing homelessness, work with and fund social workers who will do the ground level work in our state to end homelessness

03-04-2025

Angie Arthur

Vote NO on HSB296. This legislation, as written, creates a mandate for local governments to designate encampments while providing no funding to do so. That would be costly and could drive up property taxes. The legislation creates enhanced drug crime penalties for activities that are already illegal. It labels all areas where unhoused people receive services as Drug Free Homeless Service Zones, stigmatizing those who need help while imposing supercharged penalties on program participants as well as homeless programs and staff themselves if violations occur. Finally, the bill creates new reporting requirements that duplicate existing practices for many organizations, while discouraging faithbased groups, community organizations, and smaller groups from serving unhoused people. Iowa must not create a revolving door between prison and the street for people who need housing. Arresting and jailing homeless people under laws that criminalize homelessness often cost 23 times the cost of housing and services according to the Seattle University School of Law and several studies.

03-04-2025

Katie Meyer

Vote NO to this harmful bill. Trying to criminalize and shut off vital help to this vulnerable community is just one more disgraceful move by this city and state. I believe in supporting these Iowans and working towards longterm support to make real change to these problems. DO BETTER IOWA!

03-04-2025

Alaina Elliott-Wherry

This bill is the antithesis of what is needed! Instead of putting forth bills that harm people experiencing homelessness and the organizations supporting folx, Iowa legislators should support the work being done by orgs across the state that provide rapid rehousing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and more evidencebased practices to reduce incidence of homelessness and increase housing stability!Vote NO on HSB 286.

03-04-2025

Amanda Rae

Vote NO on this bill. This bill is so far from doing to others as you would have done unto you. It is shameful. How can we allow a billionaire from Texas to introduce our legislation? Also, utterly shameful. We as Iowans have sought to take care of our disadvantaged not criminalize them. Please, do better.

03-04-2025

Jessica Field

This bill is heartless and disgusting. I am horrified that this is even being discussed. Individuals experiencing homelessness should not be considered illegal. Removing supportive services to those in vulnerable situations will do harm to the community and is immoral. Vote no.

03-04-2025

Angie Wild, MD

Vote NO on this bill. The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. Criminalizing our poorest and sickest members of our communities is not only reprehensibly immoral, but it does also not address the root of people experiencing homelessness! It is the job of the Iowa legislatures to work on solutions such as affordable housing, employment, and provide funding and support for people struggling with a mental illness! Not to kick human beings in the teeth when they are down and out and increase the population of our jails and prisons! Do not wage a war on poverty; on the citizens of this state with no ability to fight back. Instead work on breaking the cycle of poverty and shift focus to overall healthier and more humane state.

03-04-2025

Stephanie Field

I sincerely urge all members to vote NO on HSB 286. The increased criminalization of homelessness is NOT the answer to the homelessness crisis in our state. We need HOUSING FIRST policies that build affordable housing and provide a path forward for homeless individuals and families to have a safe place to live. The public camps that this bill calls for are not a solution. Housing is a solution.

03-04-2025

Brittinae Nelson

I believe that housingfirst policies are the best way to reduce homelessness. I believe that all people are deserving of care and support, even if they are battling addictions. I believe that many of our local service providers are doing good, important work and want to see their resources expanded, not limited. Please vote no to SSB 1195!

03-04-2025

Rebekah Jacobs

Please vote OPPOSED to SSB 1195. Every person deserves basic human dignity, including access to shelter, food, and safety. Criminalizing homelessness undermines these fundamental rights and treats individuals as criminals for simply needing a place to live. Additionally, having a criminal record creates further obstacles for individuals trying to secure housing prolonging a persons homelessness; therefore this bill would only increase the problem and not reduce it. I have attached a PDF containing research on the ineffectiveness of criminalizing homelessness.

Attachment

03-04-2025

Stephanie Field

I urge all members to vote NO on HSB 286. I strongly believe that the increased criminalization of homelessness is NOT the answer to the homelessness crisis in our state. We need HOUSING FIRST policies that build affordable housing and provide a path forward for homeless individuals and families to have a safe place to live.

03-04-2025

Joy Perkins

Please vote no on this bill. Homelessness is not a crime but a chance to help fellow humans restore their dignity. Please look at the research of what programs actually help reduce homelessness and/or talk to already successful homeless shelters in the state to ask what they need to continue to do their job well.

03-04-2025

Angelica Vannatta

VOTE NO on this bill. Criminalizing homelessness is cruel, counterproductive, and irresponsible. Punishing people for being unhoused does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness. Instead, it funnels more individuals into the criminal justice system, burdening law enforcement, overcrowding jails, and wasting taxpayer dollars. And forcing people into police encampments would only strip them of their dignity and create a cycle of suffering. We need real solutions like housing, mental health support, and addiction treatment not punishment.

03-04-2025

Andrea Weber

Vote NO on this bill. Criminalizing fellow Iowans struggling with homelessness and penalizing those trying to help is not a solution. You have true experts in housingfirst models in this state use these experts to actually create sustainable options that don't involve criminalization.

03-04-2025

Cara Rotschafer

I strongly oppose this bill. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the root causes of homelessness. This bill is cruel and inhumane and only creates more barriers for unhoused people in finding housing, jobs, and stability. Instead of punishing our most vulnerable neighbors, we need to address the causes of homelessness by expanding shelter services, rental assistance, and mental health care services. Unhoused people in our communities are our neighbors, friends, and family. They deserve support and compassion, not criminalization.

03-04-2025

Brandy Wallar

Please vote no to this bill. As a homeless service provider for over 20 years in southwest Iowa, I can tell you this bill will not help solve the complicated issue of our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We all can agree that we do need to come up with better solutions that are data driven to be effective to help provide solutions to individuals experiencing homelessness. This bill that would allow fines and arrests create criminal records, which can make it even harder for individuals to secure employment or housing. This can perpetuate a cycle of homelessness, making it more difficult for people to escape their circumstances. It also strains already limited resources. Reinforcing these laws diverts resources from more effective solutions, such as providing supportive housing, mental health services, and job training. It's often more expensive to police and incarcerate individuals than to provide them with the support they need to get back on their feet. Currently my shelter is over capacity at all my services are maxed out leaving individuals only option is to find refuge on the streets. We need to come up with other options as opposed to going straight towards one of the costly and ineffective option of criminalizing homelessness.

03-04-2025

Teja Huntley

This bill is concerning for many reasons. It criminalizes a complex social issue. The focus is on penalizing and warehousing homeless individuals and families rather than funneling that money to affordable housing, intensive substance abuse and mental health treatment, prevention of domestic violence and childhood abuse. The bill is focused on the wrong things. Why are so many people and families homeless? Why do we have so many people with untreated mental health and substance use concerns? The cost of housing has skyrocketed, all while funding and support for mental health and substance treatment has plummeted in this state. I don't understand how spending our tax dollars on criminilizing homelessness and targeting service providers for things out of their control makes any sense at all.Teja Huntley

03-04-2025

Carole Frazee

Vote NO on HSB 286.Criminalizing homelessness simply shows just how privileged you are. It is not the answer to throw victims of homelessness into 'facilities'. It is not the answer to penalize those who serve them. This bill is unethical and completely against what Iowans want. Vote according to the comments here, the phone calls, emails and inperson constituents. Do NOT pass this hateful bill.Vote NO on HSB 286.

03-04-2025

Kelsey Callaghan

Please VOTE NO on this bill. As many other commenters have shared, criminalizing homelessness is cruel, counterproductive, and irresponsible. However, as a nonprofit professional, this bill also places undue hardship on the nonprofits who are working to address homelessness in our local communities. As federal and state resources that help folks STAY housed are dismantled, nonprofits are maximizing private resources in order to fill the gaps. Holding nonprofits responsible for drug activity that may not even occur on their property and imposing penalties that will result in years of lost State funding will only weaken our communities and our state as a whole. Nonprofits are adept at providing essential social services extremely efficiently, and are a vital resource to our communities. Distracting from those core services and requiring nonprofit staff to instead spend valuable time and resources filling the role of policing their neighborhood will accomplish nothing.

03-04-2025

Kate Klefstad

Please vote no on this bill. Criminalization of homelessness is dangerous, inhumane, and completely unhelpful. Please stop putting forward bills that further harm marginalized people in our communities, and instead work toward solutions that address poverty, mental health, housing, substance abuse, and healthcare access.

03-04-2025

James Hefel

Please VOTE NO on this bill. My fiance works for an organization which helps disabled and homeless Iowans connect with resources which can help them gain their feet. This bill would greatly hamper their ability to help potential clients, as well as potentially giving them further resources towards which they could direct clients, putting her job in jeopardy. Not only is it unhelpful towards the problem of addressing homelessness, it's certain to cause unemployment to rise, further compounding the issue. Do not vote for this bill.

03-04-2025

Nancy Williams

Vote NO on HSB 286. There is no evidence to support this as an effective approach to homelessness. There are effective approaches that are underutilized in this state such as permanent supportive housing. Homelessness is a housing problem. It is not solved by warehousing people in encampments. Iowa can do better.

03-04-2025

Nancy Williams

03-04-2025

Carrie Z Norton

Please vote no on this bill. Please hear from the professionals who work in this field and base your votes on facts and knowledge and the insights of these workers. The legislators would then understand how this bill is counterproductive and punitive to the unhoused and the professionals who are trying to reduce homelessness.

03-04-2025

Madeline Block

I am a current medical student at the Carver College of Medicine and I strongly oppose Iowa HSB 286 because it criminalizes homelessness instead of addressing its root causes. This bill unfairly punishes vulnerable individuals by making unauthorized camping a criminal offense, allowing forced relocation into police encampments, and restricting service providers from assisting individuals who use controlled substanceseven those on prescribed medications. These policies will only worsen homelessness, exacerbate health disparities in Iowa, and increase the financial burden on taxpayers.From an economic standpoint, criminalizing homelessness has been proven to be more costly for taxpayers than investing in housingfirst initiatives. A study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that the cost of jailing a homeless person is approximately $47,500 per year, compared to just $12,800 for providing permanent supportive housing. Similarly, research published in the American Journal of Public Health has shown that cities that implement housingfirst programs save millions in emergency medical care, policing, and legal expenses. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also reports that housingfirst programs save taxpayer money by reducing reliance on emergency services and law enforcement. Cities such as Houston have seen homelessness decline significantly through housingfirst approaches rather than criminalization, leading to substantial financial savings for local governments.I urge you to reject HSB286 in favor of compassionate, researchbacked solutions that address homelessness at its core. Instead of criminalizing people for struggling to survive, we must invest in housing, mental health services, and social support systems that help individuals regain stability. Criminalization is not only inhumane, but it is also an expensive and ineffective use of taxpayer resources. I stand with medical professionals, service providers, and advocates across Iowa in calling for humane and effective policies that treat all individuals with dignity and respect while using public funds responsibly.

03-04-2025

Sydney Uhlman

Vote NO on HSB 286. I endured a period of homelessness as a young adult after aging out of foster care in Iowa. I'm far from the only one around 30% of youth who age out of foster care will become homeless within a few years. I experienced firsthand the lack of adequate and appropriate services, which this bill would only worsen. This bill makes it extremely difficult for providers to maintain funding and actually use it to support our communities (especially given how this bill places even more work on already overburdened staff trying their best to operate with limited resources). It threatens significant legal repercussions that would devastate the lives of clients and staff alike with intentionally vague language. For example, controlled substances are often prescribed by medical professionals for the exact things you say providers should be working to address (substance use and mental illness). You would make it a crime resulting in possible incarceration for client and staff alike if a person engaged in directed medical treatment in their living space. Additionally, you specify the size of letters used to indicate drug free zones. What about domestic violence providers who are to adhere to confidentiality and would be putting client lives at risk if they had to do this? Homelessness is not a crime. We should be funding safe, adequate, and supportive services and working to make sure Iowans experiencing homelessness are met with care and community support, not incarceration and isolation. Vote NO on HSB 286.

03-04-2025

Susan Futrell

I urge you to vote NO on this bill. Lack of safe shelter and longterm housing is a serious problem that increases as the economy worsens, services are cut, and those in need of housing are ostracized and unsupported. Many Iowa communities including my own have wellestablished programs to address homelessness and have decades of experience in developing programs and services that work. You should be supporting rather than restricting and criminalizing these organizations and the people they serve. Research shows that punishment and criminalization do not work to provide shelter for those who need it. Help make Iowa a welcoming and safe place. Vote no on this cruel and damaging bill.

03-04-2025

Alexandra N

Please do not move this bill forward. It is cruel, vague, and criminalizes not only those with literally nowhere else to go, but also anyone providing basic humanitarian aid. Investing in affordable and accessible housing for all, including those with mental illness and who use substances, is how we actually reduce homelessness and make everyone safer. That is where our tax dollars should be spent, not paying for people to be caught in a vicious cycle of being policed and incarcerated, reducing their ability to find employment and housing. This bill is predatory and immoral.

03-04-2025

Heather Harney

Vote No on HSB 286. Republican and conservatives should honor the principals of the value of human life and believe in small government. This bill does not value either of these founding principles. Local municipalities should have the autonomy to decide what is best for the community with the support of local service providers. This bill is not about Iowa and its people. It is about taking blanket legislation from think tanks that do not know our state and our communities. Homeless service providers, housing developers, mental health and substance abuse providers, job training programs, all have ideas and solutions to help end homelessness in our communities. This bill does not use any of those solutions. Please talk to your community and constituents about what is needed to end homelessness and their own thoughts before introducing and approving legislation that is not focused on creating local solutions to local issues.

03-04-2025

Miranda Maday [Social worker ]

Please vote no on HSB 286.. It has become increasingly clear that the majority of our state legislators have sold out and are taking their orders from billionaire think tanks rather than from their constituents. This bill is incredibly cruel and ignores all research on how to best address homelessness. It offers no real solutions. All human beings have the right to a basic standard of living that includes safe, affordable housing, healthcare, and freedom from discrimination and cruelty. As housing costs and inflation continue to rise at a pace so many Iowans are struggling to keep up with, many people are one life emergency away from being at risk or actually losing their home. We should be addressing the root causes of systemic issues like homelessness, not twisting the knife into the side of our fellow humans.

03-04-2025

Laura Michelson

I urge you to vote NO on HSB 286, which would criminalize and only further endanger Iowans in vulnerable situations. This legislation would not solve any problems, but sets cruel treatmentfor unhoused Iowans. I urge you to vote NO and advocate for your unhoused constituents and neighbors.

03-04-2025

Megan Hoxhalli

Vote NO on this bill. This will only cause harm to individuals and communities. Listen to agencies and individuals who are working with people experiencing homelessness and enact humane, housingfirst policies that will help people instead of criminalizing them.

03-04-2025

Megan Kyhl

I request you vote no HSB 286. It is appalling that the Iowa legislature would even entertain a bill that criminalizes homelessness rather than addressing its root causes. This proposal, which seeks to punish individuals struggling to survive on public land, is not just misguidedit is a blatant disregard for the humanity of those who are already suffering. Homelessness is not a choice; it is born from a crushing lack of options, rising housing costs, economic instability, and an overall failure of the system to provide affordable housing. Yet, rather than offering compassion, support, and solutions, this bill seeks to penalize people who are desperate and have nowhere else to turn. In a time when prices are skyrocketing, and the economic strain on working families grows under the current administration, homelessness will only continue to escalate. Instead of criminalizing poverty and desperation, lawmakers should focus on creating and funding housingfirst programs that give people a real chance to rebuild their lives. This bill doesnt just ignore the problemit exacerbates it, showing a shocking lack of empathy and a complete failure to recognize the human beings behind these struggles.

03-04-2025

Jorie Hidri

Vote No to HSB286. People experiencing homelessness already have enough barriers to overcome more fines and criminal charges will only make it more difficult for them to get housed. The language of this bill not only targets the vulnerable population, but the staff who show up every day and do the hard work to serve the most vulnerable people in Iowa. It is appalling that a bill like this is even being considered. Instead of focusing efforts on criminalizing homelessness, our state should focus on creating more affordable housing for those with extremely low income.

03-04-2025

emma colman

Vote NO on this bill. This asinine legislation would sink people deeper into homelessness and penalize caregivers. Not only is this cruel, it's expensive. Tax payer dollars shouldn't be punishing people experiencing homelessness, making a bad situation worse. They should be helping lift them up and providing opportunities.

03-04-2025

Heidi Bowden

I am writing to express my vehement opposition to HSB 286, a bill that would criminalize the unsheltered and forcibly detain them in policerun encampments. This legislation is not a solution to homelessnessit is a cruel, punitive measure that will strip vulnerable individuals of their dignity, autonomy, and basic human rights.Forcing people into police custody simply for experiencing homelessness does nothing to address the root causes of poverty, housing insecurity, or mental health crises. Instead, it will worsen trauma, deepen social inequities, and increase unnecessary interactions with law enforcement. History has shown that criminalization does not reduce homelessnessit exacerbates it.We should be investing in housing, social services, mental health care, and employment opportunitiesnot expanding statesanctioned camps that further isolate and punish people for their circumstances. Every human being deserves safety, respect, and the right to exist in public spaces without fear of imprisonment.I urge you to reject this inhumane legislation and instead focus on evidencebased solutions that uplift, rather than punish, those in need. Do not turn poverty into a crime. Stand for justice, dignity, and real solutions.

03-04-2025

Ramata Traore

VOTE NO TO HSB 286! Everyone is deserving of dignity and respect regardless of their sobriety status or where they sleep. This law will only lead to further alienation instead of helping people who are already struggling. You should be focusing on Housing First solutions, not criminalization!

03-04-2025

Therese Petty [Episcopal Diocese of Iowa]

I strongly oppose this bill, HSB 286, and urge you to vote NO. As a Christian, I am called to respect the dignity of every human being, which includes our houseless neighbors, and all Christians are called to follow Jesus' example of caring for and standing with the poor and marginalized in our communities. Whether you are a person of any faith or no faith, the very least we should be doing is no harm to our neighbors, and this bill causes great harm. I am appalled at the cruelty of this bill, punishing both folks who are houseless and the organizations that work with them, and urge you to vote NO.

03-04-2025

Marcela Roberts

The citizens of Iowa do not want this, we do not deserve this. Please hear us as we ask you to represent the best interest of the people and VOTE NO on this legislation. Iowans are creative and resourceful so instead of punishing those who are suffering, I implore you all to brainstorm other solutions. This seems like a cash grab and an attempt at controlling a population that is not at fault for the root of this housing crisis. It will have a negative effect on Iowans as they are fined for money they do not have, and jailed for time that is so precious. Do better, VOTE NO.

03-04-2025

Emily Howes-Vonstein

I strongly oppose this bill. Christians are supposed to care for the vulnerable not criminalize them. We're called to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and stand with the marginalized. To love our neighbor as ourselves. Homeless Iowans are worthy of dignity. Of compassion. Of support. Iowans are worthy of legislation that focuses on reducing social barriers and structures that contribute to homelessness. Please focus on expanding mental health services, creating affordable housing, increasing minimum wage, ensuring access to affordable healthcare, and eliminating discriminatory practices. Please maintain housingfirst initiatives. Please uphold care. Anyone can struggle at any time. Don't punish them for it. Vote NO on HSB 286.

03-04-2025

Kate Davies

I am in strong opposition of this bill, and Im asking you to please vote NO on this heartless bill. Our houseless community members need our help and support, not our judgement and condemnation. All people are worthy & deserving of a safe place to call home full stop. Please STOP criminalizing and monetizing things and start coming up with some real solutions to provide safe and accessible housing and healthcare to our community.

03-04-2025

Lily Hart

VOTE NO ON HSB 286!!! Support the homeless population with longterm solutions. Most people are two or three unexpected expenses away from homelessness, and criminalizing a public health & safety issue is an appalling travesty.

03-04-2025

Emily Miller

I strongly oppose any bill which seeks to criminalize homelessness rather than address its root causes. This bill does nothing to provide real solutions for Iowans experiencing housing insecurityinstead, it pushes people further into crisis by imposing criminal penalties and forcing law enforcement into a role they should not have to play.Creating police encampments to displace unhoused individuals is not only inhumane but also an irresponsible use of public resources. Criminalizing people for their poverty does not reduce homelessnessit simply hides it while making it even harder for individuals to secure housing, employment, or services that could help them get back on their feet.If the goal is truly to reduce homelessness in Iowa, lawmakers should focus on investments in affordable housing, mental health services, and communitybased support programsnot punishment and displacement.As Proverbs 31:89 reminds us: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Iowa should be a state that cares for its most vulnerable, not one that punishes them for their struggles.I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead prioritize real, compassionate solutions that address housing insecurity at its core.

03-04-2025

Jamie Nagel

Please do not advance this bill. Every homeless service provider I know is extremely opposed. I suggest you consult with them about what reforms are truly needed and come back with a new proposal that does not criminalize the homeless and those who work with them.

03-05-2025

Wendy Tillgren

OPPOSE! Creating a revolving door between jail and the streets does nothing to solve the housing crisis. This does however place a large financial burden on the correctional institutions and impedes progress in an individuals ability to progress towards stable health and home.

03-05-2025

Noelle Parsons

Vote NO.Not only would advancing this inhumane bill be a kick in the teeth to unhoused people and the orgs on the ground supporting and sheltering them, but it would be pointless. Unless the cruelty is the point, I suppose.Criminalizing the unhoused has been shown over and over again to do nothing to help improve their lot in life, nor reduce the resulting strain on courts and public services. If the goal is having fewer unhoused, housing them is less costly and far more effective.I trust Shelter House, a leading local org doing the work to support the unhoused, when they say this legislation is a bad idea. As our elected leaders, I hope you'll give their concerns due consideration. Please see attached.Here's hoping you do the right thing for our communities, including our unhoused neighbors, and reject this bill. Thank you.

Attachment

03-05-2025

Leslie Carpenter [Iowa Mental Health Advocacy]

Position: OpposedCriminalizing people for being homeless does not reduce homelessness. In fact, having a criminal record makes it harder for them to not only get housing, but harder to get a job. As a severe mental illness advocate, I have researched the solutions for homelessness, as we know that there are an estimated 140,000 people with SMI who are homeless in our country due to both the very broken mental health system and the fact that 57 98% of them have Anosognosia and due not know they are ill and need treatment, due to changes in the frontal and parietal lobes of their brains, which are part of the brain illness itself. They refuse treatment not due to denial, but because the do not know they are sick due to those brain changes. Charging them with crimes doesnt work. In fact, sending someone to a jail with a mental illness only worsens the situation. They tend to accrue additional charges as they simply cannot follow instructions from jail staff. Then, they go to prison.Criminalizing the homeless shelters that are already doing amazing work, makes absolutely no sense either. They are using evidence based methods to rehouse people and to get them the services they need to recover. Punishment doesnt work to treat cancer and no one would ever suggest that it would. Punishment doesnt work for people with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders either. At the last All Rise conference in May of 2024, this was the overwhelming conclusion of multiple presenters who had been doing the research. Positive reinforcement, motivational interviewing, court oversight and treatment courts (criminal and civil (AOT), are the proven methods. NOT PUNISHMENT. This bill is cruel, expensive and will make the problems associated with homelessness worse, not better. I urge you to vote NO on this bill. One other point: some psychotropic meds are considered controlled substances even though they are prescribed to treat mental illnesses. I urge you to remove this from the bill, unless the goal is to have more people with mental illnesses to be untreated and symptomatic.

03-05-2025

Dawn Hafner

Vote no on this cruel bill.Being poor should not be a crime. Pro housing policies are the answer not this disgrace. And if you dont understand how this law feeds into prison labor used by corporations, do some research.No wonder this is being proposed by billionaires.Keep in mind many people are in prison for things your own family or maybe even you have done. Whats the difference?You have access to help in hard financial times, facing addiction and have attorneys to easily handle any legal issues. That doesnt happen for those facing poverty.Our prison system is literally a form of modern day slavery. If you are poor instead of rich thats what matters the most, not the actual breaking of a law. Just look at our president and his cabinet. Instead of imprisonment for crimes they are ruling the nation. Homelessness and poverty is not a crime.

03-05-2025

John Kenyon

Please vote NO and do not forward this bill. The issue of homelessness is not a statewide problem. It is a local issue, and municipalities, in partnership with the nonprofit sector, have plans in place to address it. This bill would be a tremendous setback for that work, causing undue harm and making the goal of helping people to get back on their feet even more elusive. This is legislation that solves nothing, but seems intent on injecting cruelty into an already fraught situation. Iowa's cities do not need the state's help on this one; sit it out and please do not do more damage.

03-05-2025

Cyan Bossou

I am writing to urgently urge you to oppose Senate Study Bill 1195. This bill sets a dangerous precedent that could further criminalize homelessness, rather than addressing the root causes and finding a more effective solution.Housingfirst policies have been proven to effectively reduce homelessness by providing individuals with stable housing before addressing other issues such as addiction or mental health. Criminalizing homelessness only exacerbates the problem, placing an unnecessary strain on local law enforcement and detention centers without addressing the core issue. Moreover, criminalizing publiclyfunded service providers who work with individuals struggling with homelessness and addiction is both unfair and cruel. These providers are dedicated to helping those in need, and penalizing them for offering support only worsens the situation.As someone who has experienced the foster care system, endured homelessness, and faced struggles with parents who suffer from addiction, I strongly urge you to oppose this bill. It is crucial that we support policies that provide resources and compassion for individuals and families facing these challenges, rather than criminalizing their circumstances.Please consider the impact this bill will have on vulnerable populations and join me in supporting a more humane and effective solution to homelessness.

03-05-2025

Alicia Faust

I avidly oppose and ask you not to move forward with HSB286. This legislation will divert resources from proven solutions to homelessness. Iowa must not continue developing revolving doors for people who are experiencing homelessness. Arresting and jailing people experiencing homelessness under laws that criminalize homelessness cost exponentially more than housing and services cost. We must continue investing in permanent solutions to homelessness instead of expensive, temporary options that are being presented from people who are not experts in this field. Please talk to and rely on your community of experts. I urge you to deny this legislation and instead invest in solutions in your state.

03-05-2025

Nina Richtman

I am writing as both a concerned citizen and mental health advocate. While I fully acknowledge that homelessness is a pressing issue in our state, this legislation is punitive and will criminalize homelessness and mental illness. Additionally, the proposed legislation will create barriers for organizations which are currently working with this population through added liabilities and potential funding loss. While I appreciate that the bill proposes treatment options for those that are unhoused, it fails to address the significant shortage of providers offering those services and the challenges in accessing those services statewide. An unfunded mandate with proposed punitive actions will exacerbate, not solve, the issue of homelessness. Please vote no.

03-05-2025

Leah Lopez Cardenas

Vote NO on this bill. It is cruel and inhumane. Existing in public spaces should not be a crime. Housingfirst policies are the best way to reduce homelessness and organizations working to help unhoused people need their resources expanded, not limited.

03-05-2025

Angela Wright

I urge you to vote NO on HSB 286. This bill does not solve homelessness, it punishes it. Criminalizing people for experiencing hardship will not make the problem disappear; it will only deepen suffering and increase costs for taxpayers by funneling more people into jails, hospitals, and overburdened emergency services.Homelessness is not a crime, it is a systemic failure. People become unhoused due to skyrocketing housing costs, medical emergencies, domestic violence, job loss, and mental health struggles. Instead of forcing individuals into sanctioned encampments or punishing service providers, we must invest in real, evidencebased solutions: affordable housing, mental health services, and job training programs. The cost of homelessness is not just moral, it is financial. Studies show that criminalizing homelessness is far more expensive than solving it. Jailing a homeless person can cost taxpayers three times as much as providing stable housing and support services. Housing First policies have been proven to reduce homelessness while saving public resources.Do not let fear and misguided policies dictate our response to this crisis. Homelessness impacts entire communities, when people lack stable housing, it strains emergency rooms, law enforcement, and local economies. Iowans deserve legislation that upholds dignity and fiscal responsibility, not one that forces our most vulnerable neighbors into deeper instability at a higher cost to everyone.Vote NO on HSB 286 and commit to real solutions that lift people up rather than push them further down.

03-05-2025

Kyle Burke

Please vote NO on HSB 286. Criminalizing homelessness does not address its root causes or present realistic solutions for ending it. This bill also layers harmful regulations on social service organizations without providing any additional funding. I urge subcommittee members to voice support for legislation that increases funding for agencies that serve homeless community members, especially in light of cuts to federal funding for this critical work.

03-05-2025

rachel scott [Friends of the Family]

Please vote no on this critical movement. SSB1195 and HSB286 will divert resources from proven solutions to homelessness, focusing attention on creating designated encampments that increase the risk unhoused Iowans will be stuck in a cycle between prison and living unsheltered.This legislation, as written, creates a mandate for local governments to designate encampments while providing no funding to do so. That would be costly and could drive up property taxes. It also imposes a statewide camping ban intended to force people into the designated encampments with penalties up to misdemeanor charges.The legislation creates enhanced drug crime penalties for activities that are already illegal. It labels all areas where unhoused people receive services as Drug Free Homeless Service Zones, stigmatizing those who need help while imposing supercharged penalties on program participants as well as homeless programs and staff themselves if violations occur.Finally, the bill creates new reporting requirements that duplicate existing practices for many organizations, while discouraging faithbased groups, community organizations, and smaller groups from serving unhoused people.Iowa must not create a revolving door between prison and the street for people who need housing. Arresting and jailing homeless people under laws that criminalize homelessness often cost 23 times the cost of housing and services according to the Seattle University School of Law and several studies.

03-05-2025

Charles Bermingham

Please vote NO on this bill. This would only exacerbate the struggles of those experiencing homelessness and those trying to serve that population. There are providers and agencies across our communities doing amazing work in this area, and collaboration with them is the way to effectively and sustainably make change. This bill would only serve to put more burden on service providers, law enforcement and hospitals, while also further dehumanizing the people experiencing homelessness. I urge you to vote NO on this bill!

03-05-2025

Ben Brustkern

Please vote no on bringing this bill out of committee. Housing is the solution for people experiencing homelessness not jail cells and fines. The drug free homeless zones will require domestic violence shelters to place signage causing safety issues for victims who are homeless. Adding potential criminal charges to already stressed homeless staff will not lead to results keeping people off the streets. I hope the state will use solutionsbased approaches to end homelessness that put housing front and center.

03-05-2025

Cora Perkins

Please vote no on bringing this bill out of committee. The housing affected by this bill is crucial for people experiencing homelessness. Numerous reasons cause homelessness, a major one being domestic violence. Being a victim of violence is NOT a crime. The drugfree homeless zones will require domestic violence shelters to place signage, causing safety issues for victims who are homeless. Adding potential criminal charges to already stressed homeless staff will not lead to results keeping people off the streets. I encourage the state to use evidencebased approaches to end homelessness that put housing front and center.

03-05-2025

Emma Wendel [Friends of the Family]

VOTE NO on this bill, those experiencing homelessness are not criminals. We should be focusing on bills that support housing first as a way to support our unhoused communities. Putting our time and money to give these people the care and compassion that every person deserves.

03-05-2025

Morgan Stone

Vote no on this bill. Unsheltered individuals should never be illegal. This will do even more harm on those individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. We need to end homelessness, not create even more barriers for them making it harder for them to find safe housing.

03-05-2025

Jen Dixon [Friends of the Family]

Iowa must not create a revolving door between prison and the street for people who need housing. Understand, there are people experiencing homelessness in our RURAL counties as well! There are so many dedicated agencies that assist and can show true numbers of people that went from homeless to securing safe, stable permanent housing!PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR FELLOW HUMANS!

03-05-2025

Paden Sheumaker

I am opposed to this bill. It will do nothing but hurt homeless people. In states where this legislation has passed, 50% of police time now goes to arresting and criminalizing the homeless population. This does not at all address the root causes of the problem and will only make it worse. Vote no.

03-05-2025

Berea Kaimera

I am vehemently OPPOSED to HSB 286. This will do nothing but harm the most vulnerable among us. People without homes are not criminals. We should be helping them not looking for ways to make them illegal. Vote NO. I have friends and family who have had to sleep in their cars for a time. This should not be a crime!

03-05-2025

Naia Goodman

I strongly urge you to vote no on HSB 286. Not having a home is not a crime, it is a devastating and often traumatic situation. This bill does little to address the root causes of homelessness and instead punishes individuals for their circumstances while making it harder for service providers to offer critical assistance in our community.

03-05-2025

Madison Gaffney

Vote NO to this bill because it criminalizes homelessness instead of addressing its root causes. Penalizing the use of public land and creating drugfree zones further marginalizes vulnerable individuals. We should focus on providing affordable housing, mental health care, and addiction treatment. Let's support our homeless population with compassion, not punishment.

03-05-2025

Robert Lancaster

Vote NO on HSB 286. We believe that housingfirst policies are the best way to reduce homelessness. We believe that all people are deserving of care and support, even if they are not sober. We believe that many of our local service providers are doing good, important work and want to see their resources expanded, not limited.

03-05-2025

Tory Thompson

Vote No on this bill. Iowa must not create a revolving door between prison and the street for people who need housing. Arresting and jailing homeless people under laws that criminalize homelessness often cost 23 times the cost of housing and services according to the Seattle University School of Law and several studies. We should be using resources for housing, mental health, health care, and education to improve our communities in Iowa. Please vote NO.

03-05-2025

Madison Black

If the lack of humanity presented in this bill does not speak to you, then perhaps the numbers will. Criminalizing homelessness is MORE EXPENSIVE than the housingfirst standard. Numerous studies have shown that housingfirst programs can save thousands of dollars per person in reduced jail, prison, law enforcement, and public safety costs. Enacting this bill will mean that taxpayers are footing the bill for the increased costs associated with expanding police forces and paying their overtime wages, acquiring land to be dedicated for those experiencing homelessness to camp, and jailing those individuals whose existence has now been criminalized. Every dollar spent on these new costs is a dollar diverted from datainformed, evidencebased, proven solutions to ending homelessness.

03-05-2025

Lori Enloe

VOTE NO to HSB 286. We need Housing First policies to support individuals experiencing homelessness. Individuals experiencing homelessness do not need additional hurdles like financial hardship and a criminal record standing in their way. Anyone supporting this bill is either ignorant to this situation or simply does not care about these human beings. What happened to "Freedom to Flourish"? When we have shelter capacity, there are many reasons a person experiencing homelessness may turn it down. Perhaps they have a beloved pet that is not allowed in the shelter, or perhaps they have belongings that the shelter does not have room to store and so they would have to give up everything they have. Perhaps it would mean they cannot take the medications they need. Furthermore, LGBTQ people disproportionately experience homelessness here in Iowa, which is even more likely now due to last week's heinous removal of their protections in the state's civil rights act. So this bill serves as another way to cause further harm to this community. Instead of criminalizing homelssness, , why don't you work on improving the services and shelter the bill refers to? That is far more likely to solve or reduce the issue than fines and jail time. Look at the success like Shelter House in Iowa City that have a multifaceted approach to homelessness and focus on housing and job training to name a few.

03-05-2025

Jaylynn Easterly

Vote NO to this bill. Criminalizing activities like unauthorized camping is ineffective and exacerbates the issue. We should be more focused on proven solutions including increasing affordable housing, providing mental health services and offering employment support.

03-05-2025

Mai Rose [concerned citizen]

I respectfully urge you to consider voting against this bill. Having worked closely with individuals experiencing homelessness and conducted research on the underlying issues contributing to this crisis, I am concerned about the negative impact this legislation will have on our community. This bill fails to address the root causes of homelessness and, instead, may foster an atmosphere of fear and retribution. Individuals living paycheck to paycheck may face increased anxiety and desperation, worrying about the potential consequences of becoming marginalized themselves. This situation poses a threat not only to those currently unhoused but also to the overall wellbeing of our community. It is critical that we approach this issue with compassion and understanding for those already struggling for basic necessities. I strongly encourage you to pull your support for this bill, as it may exacerbate existing challenges rather than provide meaningful solutions. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

03-05-2025

Allison Hein

Please do not allow this bill to pass subcommittee. This bill will negatively impact the lives of those experiencing homelessness across Iowa. This bill has numerous legal and logistical contradictions to current law that have not been addressed and would be dangerous to proceed without clarification. Secondly, this bill places extreme consequences for already illegal activities, and undue burden on entities providing shelter and housing focused services to those experiencing homelessness. Encampment zones without additional funding to have qualified, skilled staff to support individuals and families will create isolated service gaps and increase reliance on local law enforcement entities. These specific proposed measures will negatively impact the relationships that have been built between service providers with clients and housing solutions at work in our communities, solutions that are moving individuals and families into housing everyday. Throughout the last year in Cedar Rapids our homeless service providers have seen a decrease in unsheltered homelessness for the first time in 5 years. We credit this success to the advice and support received from the National Alliance to End Homelessness in 2023, and the renewed energy of our local service providers collaboration with city and county resources. These efforts are working. Our state should be focusing resources on best practice solutions to homelessness working across the country, not increasing barriers to accessing services and increasing the likelihood that individuals and families will continue to remain homeless. Please reconsider this bill and vote no to passing it from this committee.

03-05-2025

Jane Robinette

I oppose this bill. Criminalizing homelessness does not help anyone. It will place even more barriers to housing, treatment, and employment for this vulnerable population. Communities in Iowa face challenges regarding homelessness, but the issues and the solutions necessarily must be tailored to the individual communities as they can best find what works for them. Imposing a statewide policy for all Iowa communities will not solve the problem, it will exacerbate it. Vote no on HSB286.

03-05-2025

Sherry Hale

Please vote no. This bill should not go forward. It is dangerous, inhumane, and lacks basic understanding of the administration of services that benefit unhoused individuals. It is not a crime to be homeless and any one of us could end up homeless if we lost our job and couldn't find a new one. Please use your power to invest in affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and public education. THAT is how you address homelessness.

03-05-2025

Caitlyn Kupka

This bill does not follow evidencebased practice and would penalize those trying to help others. Housing first and low barrier are what solves homelessness in Iowa, not bills like this. You are doing a disservice to your people if you pass this.

03-05-2025

Stephen Logue

Matters of ordinances and fines should be kept at local level, not state level, as towns and cities and rural area have their own unique problems and solutions to these matters. A state supported fund to aid in resolving homelessness that is applied to these jurisdictions makes more sense where regulations could be imposed.Respectfully.

03-05-2025

Christine Hayes

I commend the states attention to the serious concerns that accompany unsheltered homelessness; however, this bill will not advance those concerns. This bill imposes extraordinary burdens of both time and financial resources on local law enforcement, municipalities, and county attorneys. The cost of acquiring or repurposing land, installing the statutorily outlined infrastructure, and both operating and policing proposed encampments is astronomical in already lean budgetary times. Furthermore, the bill speaks only of relocating those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, neither prioritizing nor allocating financial resources to the only proven solution to homelessness: housing. I urge you not to advance this bill and to turn your attention to evidencebased, fiscally responsible solutions that acknowledge the needs for different solutions in different communities in the upcoming legislative session.

03-05-2025

Jessica Bleile

Vote NO on HSB 286. This bill would increase the rate of homelessness in the state. If we want to end homelessness in Iowa, this cannot be done by criminalizing homelessness. By enforcing fines and arrests and forcing moves to camps we are singling out the most vulnerable to be incarcerated or warehoused rather than helping them find housing. If you or someone you love was experiencing homelessness, would this bill make sense? Would you be okay with having your freedom stripped from you? Instead of these cruel and senseless bills, we need to come together as Iowans and end homelessness with datainformed, evidencebased, proven solutions.

03-05-2025

Rebecca Poling

Vote NO to HSB 286. This bill further exacerbates discrimination toward people in our community that are in need of your help. Please put your time and efforts toward finding solutions to help them rather than hurt them.

03-05-2025

Marli Callahan

03-05-2025

Carly Weber

Vote no on HSB 286. Homelessness is already a traumatizing experience. We should be working on lifting people out of homelessness not removing the safety nets and criminalizing it. This legislation will divert resources from proven solutions to homelessness. Iowa must not continue developing revolving doors for people who are experiencing homelessness. Arresting and jailing people experiencing homelessness under laws that criminalize homelessness cost exponentially more than housing and services cost. We must continue investing in permanent solutions to homelessness instead of expensive, temporary options that are being presented from people who are not experts in this field.

03-05-2025

Jeremy Orcutt

Please vote NO on this bill to further criminalize homelessness. I urge you all to research the effects of evidencebased practices that work such as Housing First. There is plenty of proof to show that when you take a personcentered approach to helping people with SUDs and MH issues that they are more likely to recover.

03-05-2025

Kimberly Caspers

Please vote NO we must address the root cause of homelessness, not punish people or punish those trying to help. This bill will make everything more difficult and burdensome, especially on our police force. Have some empathy for human life. We must find a way to address the root cause of these problems, not criminalize the efforts to cope with the problem.

03-05-2025

Brianne Sanchez

Please vote NO to HSB286, which strategic partners with a mission to end homelessness recognize will divert resources from proven solutions, instead increasing the risk unhoused Iowans will be stuck in a cycle between prison and living unsheltered.This legislation, as written, creates a mandate for local governments to designate encampments while providing no funding to do so. That would be costly and could drive up property taxes. The legislation stigmatizes those who need help while imposing supercharged penalties on program participants as well as homeless programs and staff themselves if violations occur.Finally, the new reporting requirements under this bill duplicate existing practices for many organizations, while discouraging faithbased groups, community organizations, and smaller groups from serving unhoused people.Iowa must not create a revolving door between prison and the street for people who need housing. Arresting and jailing homeless people under laws that criminalize homelessness often cost 23 times the cost of housing and services according to the Seattle University School of Law and several studies.

03-05-2025

Courtney Guntly

I am deeply concerned about this legislation and the impact it would have on small homeless service providers in rural parts of Iowa. What we know from our Homeless Management Information System data is that there are individuals experiencing homelessness in every county in Iowa. Every. Single. County.This legislation as proposed would require every county or city that has one individual sleeping outside to construct a designated public space for this single individual to sleep. The requirements for this designated public camping space are immensepersonal safety and security measures must be established, running water, restrooms and showers must be available, and partner agencies like behavioral health, substance use, and mental health treatment must be made available. All of this while the state is not allocating additional resources to communities to fund these public camping areas. Instead, this becomes another unfunded mandate for communities. Homeless service providers know what works to end homelessness and to reduce homelessness on our streets. It is an investment in affordable housing and supportive services. Vote NO on this legislation that harms Iowans.

03-05-2025

Eleanor Dilkes

Please vote NO on this bill and focus on the one thing that has been consistently shown to work in the effort to end homelessness: providing housing. Punishment, forced encampments, fines and jail time will not get us closer to a solution.

03-05-2025

Kari Chapman

Vote no on this bill. The cure for homelessness is not criminalizing it, and doing so will make things worse for a lot of people. Resources need to be put toward the causes of homelessness and lowering barriers to reentry to being homed.

03-05-2025

nikki marcurella

VOTE NO!!!!!!!Why do people always choose to pick on people that are already at their lowest. This is probably the worst time in their lives and instead of choosing compassion and helping you choose hate. I am beyond embarrassed and disappointed to be an Iowan right now.

03-05-2025

JoAnn Mueller

VOTE NO ON HSB 286. Homeless individuals are residents of Iowa. Do not criminalize homelessness or threaten the organizations (non/profits) doing the daily work to at least try to solve the issue and support the homeless population. Iowa government needs to be balanced and work for EVERYONE not just some.

03-05-2025

Barb Magalhaes [Barbshaner@msn.com]

Vote NO. This is cruel. Just plain mean. Iowa seems to be determined to take away any dignity from house less individuals. I'm so ashamed of what this state is doing to the most vulnerable people in this state.

03-05-2025

Rosalyn De Koster

Please vote no on this bill.This is not allowing for local control, which is something Republicans have long said they stand for. This is also not the way to solve homelessness. Affordable housing is. Not only this will penalizing people for being homeless make it harder for them to get out of that situation, but it's cruel and inhumane AND it will actually cost tax payers more money if they wind up in our prisons. This will not solve the problem. Invest some of our surplus into affordable housing instead.Vote NO.

03-05-2025

Cara Kayse [Iowa Citizen]

Vote NO on HSB 286. Listen to the experts and put your energy into solutions that will help our vulnerable Iowans, not punish them and the service providers who support them. Focus on rapid rehousing and properly funding agencies to end homelessness.

03-05-2025

Johnathon Hein

Vote No on HSB 286. Additional criminal penalties to homelessness will adversely impacts the ability to find a rental unit due to background checks, and criminal penalty monetary burdens would further block those experiencing homelessness from getting in a financially stable spot to get permanent housing. The provisions in this bill likely will reduce the ability for people in Iowa to recover from homelessness.

03-05-2025

Jessica Bass

Please vote NO to this bill. Criminalizing homelessness will not solve the root problems people in Iowa are facing. Creating separate camps will only exacerbate the isolation and lack of support people who are homeless are facing. People do not become homeless because they have lots of family and community support. They become homeless because they lack the support they need to thrive. Please focus your efforts in areas of affordable housing and supporting local organizations who are doing the real work of providing resources and walking alongside those facing homelessness.

03-05-2025

Norma Havlik-Smith

Please vote No against this bill. So many of our unhoused commuity members are already struggling to get out of poverty but because of other barriers (unemployment, mental health, physical immobility, substance use) they are stuck and need our support and not another barrier put in front of them. Our unhoused community deserve our humanity. Please, rewrite this bill to provide other mechanisms to remove their challenges and not make another one.

03-05-2025

Julie Sands

I oppose HSB 286! It undercuts the amazing and dedicated work of homeless services. This bill counters the work of these services and will siphon funding away from them, as no funding source was listed. The bill is vaguewho will oversee these proposed actions, with what money, and where. The bill criminalizes people trying to survive. Its enforcement would be unduly burdensome and result in overcrowding already full jails. Criminalizing and incarcerating people struggling financially will not solve homelessness. Please vote no to HSB 286!

03-05-2025

Katrina Westfall

VOTE NO. Do you really think people want to experience homelessness? To live on the street or in shelters that do their best but are underfunded and can't always provide enough support? PEOPLE do not want to go through this, to experience the mental, emotional, and physical toll of being without a home! Adding legal ramifications for those just trying to get by is only going to do harm to society. If you want to make a difference talk to your local nonprofits who can give you ideas that are reasonable and will actually help individuals in need not harm them.

03-05-2025

Antonio Ivarra

Vote no. This bill is particularly insidious because it treats noncompliance as a choice (see lines 610 about offering a 'warning'). Shelters become full. Many shelters are seasonal and close for parts of the year. Resources for folks experiencing homelessness like rent assistance, permanent supportive housing, and case management are insufficient because our legislature and federal government cares more about corporate subsidies and enabling genocides abroad. People camp in public spaces because they experience tremendous circumstances (poverty, abuse, trauma, brain health, physical health, etc. issues) that leave them marginalized and ignored. Criminalization is not a deterrent. Further criminal legal involvement only makes it more difficult for persons experiencing homelessness to find a rental unit, pay a security deposit, or access other resources. If you're unwilling to talk and collaborate with local housing nonprofits and civic leaders, take my word for it. I work with justiceinvolved individuals, many facing homelessness and housing insecurity, every day and sending them to jail does not help them get safely housed in the longterm.

03-05-2025

Sierra Pope

Vote no please. This legislation will divert resources from proven solutions to homelessness. Iowa must not continue developing revolving doors for people who are experiencing homelessness. Arresting and jailing people experiencing homelessness under laws that criminalize homelessness cost exponentially more than housing and services cost. We must continue investing in permanent solutions to homelessness instead of expensive, temporary options that are being presented from people who are not experts in this field.Homelessness is already a traumatizing experience without adding in further restrictions, criminalization, and fines. This bill would make exiting homelessness even more difficult, as criminal justice involvement adversely impacts the ability to find a rental unit, and monetary burdens would further diminish the ability to pay a rental deposit and other housing related expenses. Ultimately, this would increase both the rate of homelessness in the state and the length of time to exit to housing.

03-05-2025

Rachel Carr

I urge you to vote NO on this bill. The affordable housing crisis needs real solutions, which this bill does nothing to aid in. This bill is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars as the increased costs to local law enforcement, prosecutors, court system, jail systems, probation, unfunded mandates for cities and counties to create forced encampmentsthe list goes on. Housing should be the focus of any legislation regarding homelessness.Iowans need solutions that work for Iowans, not by out of state influence. Vote no!

03-05-2025

Elizabeth Orcutt

What ever happened to Iowa nice? When I moved to Iowa over 7 years ago, I started hearing this phrase that I would continue to hear off and on. This bill is one of the reasons why I have always questioned that sentiment. Please vote NO on HSB 286. It is cruel and heartless, and in no way addresses the needs of the homeless or the root of the problem of homelessness. We should be looking at evidence based practices that actually work to help bring people out of their situation, not criminalizing and further oppressing those in need. Please, instead focus your time and OUR money on providing more resources which we are sorely lacking. But for the individuals I know who truly care, Id be tempted to to say the phrase should be Iowa cruel. What caring person would think that we should be proud of literally removing a group of peoples civil rights and criminalizing those in need? Please show your constituents that you hear us and that theres still some truth to Iowa nice please vote no on HSB 286.

03-05-2025

Christina Boeck Crew

OPPOSEThis bill is IMMORAL, REDUNDANT, and COSTLY. Where is the SMALL GOVERNMENT and LOCAL CONTROL?It increases the risk that unhoused Iowans get stuck in a cycle between prison and living unsheltered. The COST of this is passed onto tax payers.This bill creates a mandate for local governments without providing funding, burdening local government and property taxes.The legislation creates enhanced drug crime penalties for activities that are already illegal, stigmatizing those who need help.This bill creates reporting requirements that duplicate existing practices for many organizations, while discouraging community organizations unhoused people.We must not create a costly revolving door between prison and the street for people who need housing.

03-05-2025

Annette Busbee

Vote NO on HSB 286. Iowa must not continue developing revolving doors for people who are experiencing homelessness. Arresting and jailing people experiencing homelessness under laws that criminalize homelessness cost exponentially more than housing and services cost. We must continue investing in permanent solutions to homelessness instead of expensive, temporary options that are being presented from people who are not experts in this field.

03-05-2025

Linda Munden

I strongly oppose HSB 286 due to its numerous harmful impacts on our communities and the unhoused. The bill's enforcement would burden law enforcement, overcrowd jails, and incur significant costs without providing solutions for when shelters are full, leaving many without safe alternatives. Additionally, it creates criminal liability for permanent supportive housing and shelter providers, making it nearly impossible for these providers to retain insurance and thereby reducing the number of experienced providers. Furthermore, increased penalties for organizations and staff helping the unhoused will deter hiring and retention, weakening community responses. Every dollar spent on formal encampments diverts funds from proven solutions to homelessness. The camping provisions resemble detention / internment camps, stripping individuals of freedom and personal agency. Signage requirements violate Iowa law for domestic violence shelters. The bill's penalties are disproportionate and lack funding provisions, making it an unfunded mandate with severe consequences. The extreme changes and criminalization provisions would force providers to suspend services, causing widespread disruption. In conclusion, HSB 286 exacerbates homelessness, strains resources, and undermines effective solutions. I urge lawmakers to reject this bill.

03-05-2025

Abby Simbro

Please vote no. Criminalizing homelessness is cruel and does nothing to address the root cause of the issue. Please consider putting your efforts toward legislation aimed at actually eliminating poverty instead of punishing people for it.

03-05-2025

Jeffrey Anderson [Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church]

The Bible states that the poor will be with us always (Mark 14:7). There will always be those who, as a result of their own actions, or actions that are out of their control, find themselves in dire economic straits and wind up with an inability to provide for their basic necessities. However, blaming the homeless for their plight, which the tone of this bill appears to do, lets us off the hook, and allows us to sleep well at night, pray in our churches, and rationalize that the people experiencing homelessness arent the ones our faith or our compassion call us to care for. We are concerned that nothing in this bill addresses the root causes of homelessness, and there doesnt seem to be a pathway that would lead to either better short term sheltering options or to more permanent housing options, which ultimately are needed to address this issue. The bill appears to provide only punitive measures, not support, financial or otherwise, to address the issues of homelessness. If criminalizing homelessness by giving people fines or arresting them and financially penalizing communities that fail to utilize these approaches could end homelessness, we would have ended homelessness long ago. While data collection is of value, we are also concerned that the reporting requirements this bill calls for are unnecessarily burdensome and represent an unfunded mandate that would make it more challenging for both public and private entities, including faithbased nonprofit groups, from providing support to the unsheltered and homeless. We would ask you not to move this bill forward.

03-05-2025

Sharon Harrington [Mrs.]

Penalize the homeless and poor. What a field day Charles Dickens would have had in Iowa. Provide homeless services, it would be cheaper and more humane to educate, feed and house them that to just wall them away. Cruel. I ask you not to pass this bill. There but for the grace of God go you and me.

03-05-2025

Jessica Foster

Vote no to this bill as it will not help solve the complicated issue of those experiencing homelessness. This bill that would allow fines and arrests which can make it even harder for individuals to secure employment or housing.

03-05-2025

Samantha Reynolds

I strongly oppose Iowa House Bill 286, which seeks to criminalize homelessness. This bill is not only inhumane, but it also fails to address the root causes of homelessness, such as lack of affordable housing, mental health services, and economic inequality. Instead of offering support and solutions to those in need, this bill penalizes people for their circumstances.Criminalizing homelessness does not reduce homelessnessit only exacerbates the cycle of poverty and trauma. Individuals experiencing homelessness are already vulnerable, and punishing them with fines or arrests only further isolates them and makes it more difficult to access necessary resources like healthcare, jobs, and housing.Rather than investing in punitive measures, Iowa should focus on creating affordable housing, providing access to mental health care, and expanding social services. We must work toward solutions that empower people to regain stability, not punish them for simply being without a home.I urge lawmakers to reject SSB 1195 and instead focus on compassionate, effective solutions to homelessness that respect the dignity and humanity of all individuals, regardless of their housing status.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Gardner

Please vote NO on this bill! Rising rents, historically low rental vacancy rates, and the decline of federally subsidized housing have led to a critical shortage of affordable housing units. Nearly half of the entire U.S. renter population is cost burdened. Criminalizing homelessness does not suddenly bridge this affordability gap or create affordable housing units. It only serves to displace homeless people.How about you work on the root causes rather than criminalizing people when they are down? This is an unfunded mandate that will hurt Iowans!

03-05-2025

Mary Ann Vogel CHM Vogel [Congregation of the Humility of Mary]

For35 years I have been part of a program that provides housing, shelter and supportive services for homeless families and individuals. When people have a place to call home they can start focusing on rehab, education, work, etc. whatever is needed to help them move on to a more stable future. I have seen the results when people have gone through our program. I meet them in the grocery store, and various other places and they are always so grateful. They were given a chance to succeed. Funding is a key issue in providing these services and, because there limited amount of funding, the number of people to be served is also limited. The majority of people sleeping outside want to be in a safe place insidethey are not criminals and should not be put in jail. People are available and willing to do the work, but We need more funding to make it possible.

03-05-2025

Linda Grathwohl

Vote no on this bill. We will not end the problem of homelessness by making it a crime to be homeless. We do not have sufficient affordable housing, nor adequate services to help people find employment so as to acquire shelter. The money that would be spent in enforcing this would be better spent in searching to address these needs. Punishing those who are homeless will only make it harder for them to find housing later.

03-05-2025

Elizabeth Kapp

Please please please try to fix your hearts. Email me, I would love to talk to you about the very real people this cruelly punishes. I cannot imagine a moral code, a worldview, or a faith system that makes this makes sense.

03-05-2025

Shawna Riggins

I am not sure why I am commenting anymore because clearly these legislators do not care one bit about feedback from constituents. I OPPOSE HBS 286. Please focus efforts on measures to support at risk populations rather than criminalize their EXISTENCE.

03-05-2025

Pamela McDonald

Please vote NO on HSB 286 and companion bill SSB1195. It is a clueless, if not cruel, way to handle homelessness in Iowa. Do you know how many of our population without housing are veterans? Where is their freedom to decide how to live their lives? Respect people's decisions, and stop taking away the freedoms they have left.

03-05-2025

Kathleen Tupker

I strongly implore you to vote NO on this bill. One cannot legislate away the homeless crisis by simply sweeping those affected under the rug. This legislation will divert resources from proven solutions to homelessness. Iowa must not continue developing revolving doors for people who are experiencing homelessness. Homelessness is already a traumatizing experience without adding in further restrictions, criminalization, and fines. This bill would make exiting homelessness even more difficult, as criminal justice involvement adversely impacts the ability to find a rental unit, and monetary burdens would further diminish the ability to pay a rental deposit and other housing related expenses. Ultimately, this would increase both the rate of homelessness in the state and the length of time to exit to housing.

03-05-2025

Jessica Andino [Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition]

Vote no on this bill. First, criminalizing homelessness is immoral. No one chooses to be homeless. Many are working families, veterans, or those struggling with illness. Fining or arresting them only makes it harder to find stability. Second, its expensive. It costs far more to police, jail, and hospitalize unhoused individuals than to provide affordable housing. Investing in housingfirst solutions saves millions in taxpayer dollars while actually reducing homelessness. Third, its a public health risk. Without stable housing, people experience higher rates of untreated chronic illness, mental health crises, and infectious diseaseleading to overcrowded emergency rooms and increased healthcare costs for taxpayers. Designated zones for homeless individuals only worsen these disparities by forcing people into unsafe, unsanitary conditions with little access to healthcare or basic services. Criminalization and containment do not solve homelessness; they only deepen the crisis. Fourth, its ineffective. Pushing people from one place to another doesnt solve the crisisit just hides it. We need more housing, not more handcuffs.

03-05-2025

marlee myers

HSB 286 proposes punitive measures against individuals experiencing homelessness, including criminalizing unauthorized use of public land and establishing drugfree homeless service zones. Such approaches do not address the root causes of homelessness and may exacerbate the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Instead of criminalizing homelessness, Iowa should invest in affordable housing, mental health services, and job training programs. I urge legislators to vote NO on HSB 286 and focus on compassionate, evidencebased solutions that uphold the dignity and rights of all Iowans.

03-05-2025

Kathy Baker

Vote NO to Two bills that were introduced yesterday, HSB 286 in the Iowa House and SSB 1195 in the Iowa Senate. I oppose both of these bills which would legislate a statewide camping ban with criminal penalties for people experiencing homelessness, encourage a policy of setting up sanctioned camps to segregate homeless people into designated places, and would impose financial penalties for jurisdictions that refuse to enforce the camping ban.The Language in these bills could also result in penalizing homeless services providers, nonprofit groups (including faithbased groups) that are already providing homeless services. I am concerned that these bills will funnel people into the criminal justice system for being unhoused, while making it harder to sustain any alternative initiatives aimed at reducing the root causes of homelessness. These bills penalize people for being poor and unable to afford a place to live safely. Our state and communities need to work on a solution and not penalties for the homeless who have no other or limited choices but to live in a camp.

03-05-2025

Helen Pollock [Iowa United Women in Faith]

I am strongly against this bill. Homelessness is not a crime! You should be using your time and energy on helping the homeless, not classifying them as criminal. It is a terrible idea! If Iowa had the mental health help that people need, homelessness wouldn't be the problem that it has become. Please vote NO on this bill.

Attachment

03-05-2025

Susan Ray

I urge you to vote NO on HSB 286. This bill is vague and dangerous, leaving too much open to interpretation while potentially cutting funding for homeless services and criminalizing our most vulnerable neighbors.Iowans need more support not punishment. HSB 286 could penalize those simply trying to survive and even criminalize individuals taking lifesaving medications like methadone. Instead of making it harder for people to rebuild their lives, we should invest in real solutions like affordable housing, healthcare, mental health services (as a reminder, Iowa is currently the second WORST in the United States), and lastly, other important supportive services.Please reject HSB 286 and stand up for compassionate, effective policies that truly address Iowans in need of help. You have the power please use it for good. Im asking you to care about other human beings' lives not just your own.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Brown

Please, vote no on this bill. Every single time a government body has criminalized a social problem, the result has only been to increase the toll of that problem on the taxpayers, law enforcement, and the overall level of human suffering in the district. And for those who represent overwhelmingly Christian districts, it is also not a Christlike response to conflict. Again, please, for all our sakes, vote no.

03-05-2025

Irene DeMaris

Oppose HSB 286 Love Our Neighbors, Dont Criminalize ThemAs a Christian, I believe we are called to love our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. HSB 286 does the oppositeit punishes our unhoused neighbors simply for having nowhere to go. With most shelters at or near capacity, this bill would fine and jail people for trying to survive, forcing them into a cycle of incarceration and deeper instability.Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the problem; it only makes it worse. Instead of offering real solutions like housing, mental health care, and supportive services, this bill pushes people further into crisis and penalizes the faithbased and community groups working to help them.Iowa must not turn its back on those in need like the city of Des Moines did. I urge you to oppose HSB 286 and support policies that offer real hope and help.

03-05-2025

Susan Davidson

Representatives Hoff, James, and Lawler,PLEASE VOTE NO ON #286! This bill will liekly worsen the problem of homelessness in Iowa by making the lives of homeless people and the work of those who serve them more difficult, wihtout improving, long term, the lives of Iowa communities

03-05-2025

Natalie Leathers [Table to Table]

Please vote NO on this bill!!!! Poverty, homelessness, and food food insecurity are inextricably linked. The only solution for homelessness is housing, not criminalization. This bill undermines the work being done in the community every day to end homelessness: 1) It criminalizes the already traumatizing experience of unsheltered homelessness;2) It calls for warehousing and registering people in formalized municipal encampments;3) It handicaps organizations providing services by making us criminally liable for activity that occurs off of agency property, over which we have no legal control. And in the event that happens, the bill prohibits an organization from receiving state funding for three years; and4) The bill is not only an unfunded mandate, but an unfunded mandate with both monetary fines and incarceration for noncompliance.

03-05-2025

Jayme Hunter

VOTE NO on this bill. Criminalizing homelessness is cruel, counterproductive, and irresponsible and does not help to solve any problems. We need real solutions like housing, mental health support, and addiction treatment not punishment.

03-05-2025

Brittany Brooke Crow

Please vote no. This bill has many issues, particularly the penalties it imposes on our most vulnerable neighbors. It makes sleeping or seeking shelter on public property a misdemeanor. That means people without housing could receive up to 30 days in jail and fines ranging from $105 to $855. Division III of the bill criminalizes houseless individuals taking their prescribed medications in designated service areas. Service providers who allow them to do so could face an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in jail and fines between $855 and $8,540. All for allowing someone to take their doctorprescribed medication. I work with an organization that provides critical heat supplies during the winter because without them, people freeze to death. Many of these individuals want to work but lack basic access to showers and laundry. Instead of punishing them with fines and jail time, we should increase services. We should help our neighbors, not harm them. I urge you to reject this bill. Thank you.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Berteloth

Why would you add a criminal charge to a portion of the population that already is struggling? Who does this benefit? Have you spent time or tried helping someone that is experiencing homelessness? Vote NO!!! Are you offering services to those you bring charges upon? If youre going to criminalize it, I hope you have a solution to the root causes of homelessness. If you dont know, there are multiple reasons for homelessness. You need to offer more affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse services amongst many other things. This is inhumane.

03-05-2025

Molly Monk

This bill does nothing to address public safety or end or even prevent homelessness, and it goes against all of the recommendations provided by organizations actually working in homelessness. It criminalizes sleeping outside while doing nothing to address the all too common experience of a shelter being full. Where are people supposed to go?

03-05-2025

Brian Middleswarth

I oppose this bill for several reasons1)The way section 716.15 seems to be written you could not sleep at public rest stops on long drives unless (perhaps) you register with the local political subdivision? If there is none, can you just not do it? It is written so broadly that any number of occasions where such sheltering might happen seems to be outlawed regardless of whether you are 2)What does it mean to allow on individual accessing services to possess or use a controlled substance on the premises of the facility? Does that mean something beyond posting it is a drug free area? What if the person accessing the facility hides the substance on their person is that a violation on the part of the facility? The homeless shelters I have associated with and that I know people use strive to be safe and prevent the use of controlled substances on their property. However, especially in Iowa where being outside can be a death sentence in winter their primary purpose is to keep people alive. This section is too vague.3)The definition of DrugFree homeless service zone could include things happening a football field away from the facility on a public street. How is the facility supposed to police that? This seems designed not to make things safer, but to get homeless shelters into legal trouble for things happening well away from their legal right to control. 4)Im all for collecting more data to track things that are happening in our state. However, is additional money included to hire or pay the staff required to accurately track all of that information? As a pastor, I have worked with people who have been homeless through no fault of their own. I know how inadequate our system of aid is for them here in Iowa even when they want to get help. I know the challenges faced by shelters and those who need them related to balancing safety, the rights of those using them, and the real consequences in Iowa of people being outside in the cold. Im not sure that this bill provides real solutions to the problem. Instead it seems to want to push it out of sight. I would urge the legislature to listen to those who are doing the work and provide the resources needed to move Iowans back into stable shelter.

03-05-2025

Gina Hausknecht

Please do not advance this bill. Our fellow Iowans who find themselves homeless and the hardworking, evidencebased organizations that help them need more support, not this interference with and diminishment of practices that work. Creating more sanctions for already illegal activities does not move toward real solutions. Homelessness should not be further criminalized; Iowans who are already struggling with an extreme lack of resources should not hit with additional fines.

03-05-2025

Steven Kahler [.]

I encourage you to vote NO on HSB 286. Criminalizing and segregating the unhoused/unsheltered population is not justice. Our societal resources, including tax dollars, are better spent funding shelters, food kitchens and pantries, and programs established to remedy the root causes of homelessness.

03-05-2025

Anita Johnson

Please do not let this bill go forward. Because of my position in a downtown church in Iowa, I became acquainted with many homeless persons. I will admit the interactions were not always positive, and I selfishly felt they were interrupting my workday, but I am grateful for getting to know them as real people and to become more familiar with the people who work in homeless shelters. The homeless have complex problems that are not easily fixed and providers of services to the homeless work tirelessly for them. I would invite the legislators who are prescribing punishment and withdrawal of funds to get to know some homeless people and consult with those who provide services. Perhaps then money could be used as a tool instead of a weapon to uplift Iowans.

03-05-2025

Dawn Moriarty

This bill will not help the homeless people (adults AND children) address the issues that are needed to help with the how and why of their situation. To criminalize homeless will be detrimental in their ability to receive the help they need (as well overload the Judicial system, especially the jails, that is already dealing with an overload of cases with not enough attorneys to handle them. A number of the homeless people are Veterans who are dealing with multiple issues including mental health, which makes it more difficult to find stability. Vote NO on this bill.

03-05-2025

Mason Koelm

Vote NO to HSB286. This bill will only serve to increase costs for Iowans, and perpetuate cycles of homelessness without providing any additional resources. Listen to professionals, listen to Iowans, and listen to what is right. Vote NO.

03-05-2025

Shanna Hanssen [Anawim Housing]

Vote NO Because reality and this bill are in no way connected and here's why: Sara is schizophrenic and has been denied Social Security Disability, she struggles to work and maintain a home for her 9 year old and isn't able to understand the complicated process of SSDI. She has no internet or cell phone either. She cannot afford those luxury items. On top of that she she is frequently homeless and without a consistent address she cannot even maintain Medicaid. Now Sara has lost custody of her son after being found under a bridge trying to protect him and sleep. He will go into foster care and years later Sara is found dead coincidentally under that same bridge. Police whom knew her are overheard saying things like, there were never enough beds at Broadlawns so we stopped taking her. She stopped trying to check into the downtown shelter because they are full in the wintertime and it was hard for her to sleep in a chair. I will say she helped every young person that she could that was homeless, think they reminded her of her kid. Also think that's why she started drinking and stopped eating. Either that or she was scared of her hallucinations and gave up. Is Sara a criminal? Does Iowa have funding for these encampments? What about all of the local landlords that receive money through housing programs like Anawim? Should they not get paid and we turn all of the Sara's back out on the streets to die and have taxpayers absorb the costs and pay the price in many many other ways.

03-05-2025

Roberta Maltas

It's too early to vote yes on this bill. It is fraught with duplicity in enforcement and reporting. At this time, there is cooperation between law enforcement and shelter providers, but this will undo that working relationship. The laws listed in this bill are already illegal; there's no need for the redundancy. Making homelessness a crime is shameful because there are a precious few of us who are merely 6 months of joblessness away from the same situation ourselves and if it was us, we'd insist someone be there to help, not place us in a detention camp or a jail cell. Everyone knows that if you have a record, it's that much harder to find housing so by incarcerating the unhoused, we're further complicating an already overcomplicated situation. Why can't we slow down, have discussions about possible solutions, and rather than spend more money on what this bill will cost the taxpayers put the money into creating housing alternatives that actually are safe and available?

03-05-2025

jae childers

This legislation will do harm not only to unhoused Iowans but the state as a whole. Arresting and jailing people who experiences homelessness under laws that criminalize it cost exponentially more than housing and services cost. Tax money and efforts are better spent investing in permanent solutions to homelessness instead of the temporary and expensive options being presented by individual who are not experts in the field. This legislation is in direct opposition to the suggestions of experts and research findings on homelessness.

03-05-2025

Marti Nerenstone

Vote NO on this proposal This is shameful as a veteran, a former Legal Aid and criminal defense attorney, I worked with many homeless people and homeless advocates and organizations many of these people are veterans it's time Iowa did something positive and productive for this population putting these folks thru our criminal system is despicable

03-05-2025

Rev. Lee Schott [Collegiate United Methodist Church & Wesley Foundation]

Please say NO to HSB 286. The criminalization of homelessness will not reduce homelessness. It will increase costs to the state and place added burdens on people who are already just trying to get through the day, and the night. Unwaivable mandatory fees and, under the bill, a criminal record, will make it that much harder for these individuals to become housed. This bill doesn't stop there, but also places additional burdens and risks on people trying to support persons who are unhoused. This will only increase the problem.True, responsible work on how to reduce the number of individuals who are unhoused in Iowa will require work on things like medical care, a living wage, affordable child care, and good education. Please turn your attention to those matters, which need your attention and WILL make a difference.

03-05-2025

Hayley Crabb

I am opposed to this proposed legislation, for many reasons. Perhaps the economic argument against it will have the greatest impact this will be extremely costly to implement. And I believe that our local law enforcement should retain the ability to make decisions as it relates to folks who are unhoused.

03-05-2025

Crissy Canganelli

As a homeless service provider who has worked in the field for nearly three decades, I'd like to first thank the subcommittee for bringing the issue of unsheltered homelessness in our state to the attention of this legislative body. As you each know, rising housing costs and extraordinary shifts in the provision of health care have caused increases in both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in communities across Iowa. Locally, we have worked hard in our region to build the strong and lasting relationships of mutual respect and trust we are so very grateful to have with other partners within our community's crisis response team. Our Sheriff, Police, and Fire Departments, our Ambulance Services, and our VA Medical Center and UIHC rely on us to provide competent, evidencebased care to many of the same individuals they see struggling in our community. And as we have earned their respect and trust, so too have they gained ours. And so, I write on behalf of homeless service providers, yes, but also with serious concerns about what this bill would mean for the ability of our crisis responders to make informed decisions that prioritize what they know, through their work experience and expertise on issues in our communities, are the right solutions for their community. I am further concerned about the significant financial and temporal cost of this bill. Acquiring land, building infrastructure, dedicating staff, and increasing nights in jail will have a deleterious impact on cities and crisis responders who must decide what services to decrease or cut in order to have the time and financial resources to comply with the letter of the law. And, of course, as a lifelong provider of services to individuals experiencing homelessness in our community, it would be disingenuous for me not to note my grave concerns that this bill requires communities to spend exorbitant amounts of money without requiringor allocatinga single dollar on the one datainformed, evidencebased, proven solution to homelessness: housing. I urge you to abandon this bill and propose proven solutions that crisis responders, homeless service providers, and the medical community all agree on in the next legislative session.

03-05-2025

Nora Boerner

I am opposed to this expensive and ill conceived legislation. It removes decision making from local law enforcement and local government. It is an ineffective solution to a complex issue. As a Christian who interacts with and cares for unhoused folks multiple days a week, I am opposed to this legislation.

03-05-2025

Eric Aschbrenner

I strongly oppose HSB286, as it criminalizes poverty rather than offering meaningful solutions to homelessness. By imposing penalties on individuals for sleeping in public spaces without sufficient alternatives and restricting local governments from implementing humane, effective policies, this bill exacerbates the crisis instead of addressing it. Punitive measures will only push vulnerable individuals further into instability rather than providing them with pathways to housing and recovery. Instead of criminalization, we should focus on expanding access to affordable housing, increasing funding for emergency shelters, and strengthening supportive services such as mental health care, substance use treatment, and job training programs. This bill would perpetuate the cycle of homelessness, burdening law enforcement and the judicial system while failing to address its root causes. I urge you to vote NO on this bill and instead support evidencebased solutions that prioritize housing stability, dignity, and longterm success for individuals experiencing homelessness.

03-05-2025

Martha McClurg

I am a Cedar Rapids resident who regularly engages with and serves the unhoused population in my community. Please vote NO to this legislation and do not allow it to pass out of committee! Instead of providing housing, which is the evidencebased recommendation for assisting those who are experiencing homelessness, this bill would instead use funding to create a homeless camp. This would solve no problems and likely only add more, resulting in an increased burden on local law enforcement and already overcrowded jails. Regarding this bill's focus on drugrelated crimes these are already crimes, we do not need additional laws for these offences. I am proud of how my city has worked collaboratively with local law enforcement and nonprofits to help serve our unhoused population and want that work to continue. This legislation would cripple such positive efforts and result in increased expenditures for my community.

03-05-2025

Deborah Eastin

I don't know think the way to solve the homelessness is to criminalize the victim. Policies of our federal and state governments have only made it harder for the less fortunate in our state to care for themselves. Funding has been cut to line the pockets of the rich. Now we want to make it a crime to be homeless. The wording of the bill is vague enough to allow all sorts of restrictions on those that are trying to help the homeless.Why not spend some time and money on finding a viable solution to why these people are homeless.Such actions as this bill will be remembered in the future and not to the credit of those who vote for it.

03-05-2025

Caitlyn Wang

03-05-2025

Jennifer Kelso

Yet another disgraceful bill by this legislature. While more and more people are one paycheck away from being homeless, instead of doing literally ANYTHING to help make life more affordable, you people choose to treat homelessness as a failure of morality. Par for the course from nothing but a bunch of "Christian" hypocrites.

03-05-2025

Angela Evans

Vote no!This is a step toward encampments for poverty. If you add in dismantling the governments assistance programs. Youre actively causing more poverty and homelessness. Say you have an elderly on government assistance. You cut it now they are out of assistance houses, have no income, kicked out of nursing homes. Then arrested for poverty. With more numbers with federal cuts. Where are you putting them? You will make encampments. This echos of a past we refuse to go back too!

03-05-2025

Amy Croll [elected official. Social worker.]

I have several concerns with this legislation. Outside of the basic concept that charging people with a crime doesn't help them get housing, this legislation has significant challenges when considering our current state of our behavioral health system, which is currently under extreme stress with the merger. To state folks are going to get services when they already don't get services they qualify for before the transition of the system is a farce. Cities have already done their budgets. This would require an increase in property taxes to staff it, even if it was a good idea (which it's not). After doing the Point in Time count this January, 90% of the people I interviewed had a brain injury. Those who remained separated from others did it for their own safety and the safety of others. Those who were in their own unsheltered "neighborhoods" watched out for each other. Everyone wants to be housed, but not everyone can be around others like this suggests. Housing is the solution to homelessness. Fund tax incentives. Fund supportive services. Institute eviction expungement. Institute housing choice vouchers prioritization goes to those who are homeless first. Require Housing First. These are things that will actually make a difference in homeless service efforts. Vote no to this proposal.

03-05-2025

Joseph Norman

Please vote no on this bill. To reiterate my comment on the other proposed legislation, this bill is not a solution to the homeless crisis. It will make the lives of the individuals affected by the bill worse and create undue hardship on the broader community. There are proven approaches to the problem of homelessness that produce effective results that contribute to the overall public good. Please consider those and please vote no on this bill.

03-05-2025

Sally Olsen

Cedar Rapids is fortunate to have organizations who have a long record of compassionate community service. I have seen the positive results through the years and support these organizations financially. We do not need laws to criminalize homelessness. We need a higher minimum wage so people can afford food and housing. We need the state government to financially support the organizations that are successfully housing the homeless and getting them employed. Trying to criminalize successful community organizations makes no sense at all. Vague laws don't help anyone.

03-05-2025

Erica Fisher

Please, vote NO on this bill. Its inhumane and lacks a general understanding of the crisis that is being unhoused. None of these bills make the issues go away. Its only makes it more dangerous and risky for those in crisis. Stop taking away peoples rights and support the people of your state that need it.

03-05-2025

nikki ingram

Voting against HSB 286 is essential due to its glaring lack of empathy and humanity towards the homeless population. This bill, which addresses issues like unauthorized use of public land and drugfree zones, fails to recognize the complex realities faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Instead of offering compassionate solutions, it imposes penalties and restrictions that further marginalize vulnerable communities. By prioritizing punitive measures over supportive services, the bill neglects the fundamental dignity and rights of those in need, ultimately perpetuating their struggles rather than alleviating them. VOTE NO TO HSB 286

03-05-2025

Chad Cooper

This bill is not only counterproductive; it flies in the face of humanity. The solution to homelessness involves respecting these individuals as human beings, recognizing the barriers to stable housing, and providing resources to help them find steady employment and safe shelter. Don't criminalize circumstances. Instead, help people realize their full potential.

03-05-2025

Cassidy Rea

Do not pass this bill. I worked in homeless services for two years. Criminalizing homelessness does not prevent homelessness. It actually makes it harder for people to get into permanent housing. Furthermore, this bill takes away local power to deal with homelessness in the way that is best for each community. Republicans say they like local government, but here they are taking away the power of local government by mandating a statewide policy that cities must follow. Local governments should be able to decide what to do about local problems.

03-05-2025

Rebecca DeHart [United Methodist Church]

The mark of a great society is how we treat our most vulnerable members. These are often people with mental illness and they need to be treated with compassion and dignity, and they need help not to be criminalized for an illness. A illness they never wanted and it is very hard to get help for. We need to have compassion and mercy on our neighbors.

03-05-2025

Austin Chadima

The criminalization of homelessness does not solve the root issues of poverty, mental health, housing, substance abuse, etc. Punishing people when they're at their lowest is inhumane, cruel, and does not create solutions for complex issues. Please vote NO.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Wasek

Vote No! This does not solve homelessness. We should be advocating for proven solutions through increased behavioral health support and sustainable funding for outreach services. Don't punish those who are already struggling.

03-05-2025

Laurie Riley [UMC Pastor]

I have been a pastor in several communities in the state of Iowa. In each of those communities I have delt with homeless persons and NONE of them have been criminals but all of them have faced life changing issues which have forced them into homelessness. Some of those issues were substance abuse, mental health issues, loss of job and loss of family support. I have walked with them and heard the struggles and have heard over and over again that the resources to help them were just not there for them, yes sometimes this was a choice they made but not every time.I urge you to VOTE NO and look at ways to provide dignified housing, more beds to help them get their mental health needs met we DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH BEDS IN THIS STATE for intensive mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment and we do not have enough places for them to live after that treatment has been completed but sending them to jail, prison, or an encampment is not the answer!! Again I urge you to Vote NO on this

03-05-2025

Jacqueline Thompson

I urge you to spend more time and money in keeping folks from becoming unhousedaddressing mental illness, addiction, lack of affordable housing, etc. These residents should not be labeled as criminals nor treated as such. Rev. Dr. Jacqueline ThompsonDes Moines

03-05-2025

Mindy Paces [Heartland Family Service]

I am writing on behalf of Heartland Family Service, a dedicated provider of services to unhoused individuals in Iowa, to express our strong opposition to House Study Bill 286 (HSB 286). This bill proposes measures that effectively criminalize homelessness, a stance that is both ethically troubling and counterproductive to societal wellbeing. Criminalization is Not a Solution.HSB 286 seeks to penalize individuals for unauthorized use of public land for sleeping, camping, or sheltering. Such punitive measures fail to address the root causes of homelessness and instead exacerbate the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Criminal records resulting from these penalties can create additional barriers to employment and housing, perpetuating the cycle of homelessness.Implementing punitive measures diverts critical public resources toward enforcement and legal proceedings, rather than addressing the underlying issues of homelessness. Investing in supportive services, affordable housing, and mental health care has proven to be more effective in reducing homelessness and is a more prudent use of taxpayer funds. Iowa has a strong tradition of community support and compassion. HSB 286 undermines these values by marginalizing our most vulnerable citizens. Policies should aim to uplift and support individuals facing hardships, not penalize them for circumstances often beyond their control. We urge the committee to consider alternative approaches that focus on Supportive Housing Initiatives such as investing in affordable housing solutions coupled with support services. Additionally, enhancing access to mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and employment assistance has proven to be more effective.Lastly, collaborating with local organizations to develop programs tailored to the specific needs of unhoused individuals will assist in identifying a solution that addresses root causes and supports people who are unhoused.By focusing on these supportive measures, we can create sustainable solutions that benefit both individuals experiencing homelessness and the broader community. Thank you for considering our perspective. We hope the committee will reject HSB 286 in favor of more compassionate and effective policies.

03-05-2025

Allen Coffin

Please vote NO on this bill. It is inexcusable to make it a punishable crime to be poor and without resources. If someone lacks the means to find shelter, what earthly good does it do, other than to get them a night under a roof, to arrest them? Our resources would be better spent trying to relieve the causes of homelessness rather than punishing the victims of it.

03-05-2025

Ardyth Gillespie [Harrisdale Homestead]

Please vote NO! I agree that the legislature should address homelessness. However, instead of this bill, I want you to work on investments to help the homeless and those who care for them. NOT criminalize them. What is Iowa coming to?

03-05-2025

Elaine Caldbeck [Episcopal Church]

This is the wrong way to address homelessness. Please help provide for affordable housing, first month rent vouchers or other options. People who are without housing are still people and should not be made illegal for their lack of resources. Don't be punishing

03-05-2025

Tyler Walker [Trinity/St. James UMC]

Our unhoused neighbors need a hand up, not a crushing blow. We, the people of Iowa, have a long history of helping our neighbors, whether across the street or the globe. Please find a way to help those who need help the most and not penalize charities that are trying to help or arrest the unhoused.

03-05-2025

Cathleen Steines

Please vote No for HSB 286. Criminalizing homelessness and, often, mental health issues is not the way to address this issue. Let's work with those agencies that have experience in how to deal with homelessness rather than punish them. I will be watching closely how my legislators vote.

03-05-2025

Rev. Catherine Schroeder

as a Priest in the Episcopal Church I am so much against thisBill. Instead of outlawing homelessness, lets do something about better housing for all. The amount of money would take to do this Bill and lawenforcement would not be advisable.

03-05-2025

Karna Bosman

HSB 286 is a harmful bill that criminalizes homelessness instead of addressing its root causes. Criminalization doesnt reduce homelessness it deepens poverty and instability by adding barriers to housing, jobs, and services. This bill replaces compassion with cruelty and strips local governments of the ability to pursue real solutions. Iowa needs evidencebased policies, not punishment. Vote No on HSB 286.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Davis

Homelessness is already a traumatizing experience without adding in further restrictions, criminalization, and fines. This bill would make exiting homelessness even more difficult, as criminal justice involvement adversely impacts the ability to find a rental unit, and monetary burdens would further diminish the ability to pay a rental deposit and other housing related expenses. Ultimately, this would increase both the rate of homelessness in the state and the length of time to exit to housing.

03-05-2025

Tierney Israel

OPPOSE this bill. This bill serves no purpose but to make the struggles of the unhoused more difficult and punish the groups that seek to help them. There is no value, whether moral or otherwise, in this bill. Criminalizing homelessness only further incapacitates and harms the homeless. It does not suddenly make them no longer homeless. They are people, citizens of our cities, state and country who have been through troubling times. And so many of us are only a single emergency away from being homeless as well. Punitive actions against an already struggling population is cruel and I sincerely hope that there is some compassion left here. Please oppose this bill and seek to support programs that truly help the unhoused find shelter and work and regain some semblance of the lives they once lived.

03-05-2025

Kate Maxwell

Please vote no for HSB 286. This bill will not help end homelessness. It will only make it worse for them. The homeless population is already struggling. This bill will only create more barriers for them rather than help.

03-05-2025

Ren Mattson

VOTE NO on HSB 286. We need not criminalize our houseless neighbors. We need to uplift and support them with HOUSING FIRST policies. Why would we penalize folks who are already struggling to survive? We must create bills that help take care of our neighbors not ones that make their existence illegal.

03-05-2025

Suzanne Glemot

When I moved to Iowa almost 10 years ago, I was told by Iowans that this is a place that takes care of its own. This bill flies in the face of this ethos and only stands to worsen the existence of those who are already (or, may yet become) our most vulnerable fellow citizens. Do not advance this bill, and vote NO on HSB 286.

03-05-2025

Harper Sherwood-Reid

Please vote NO on HSB286. Individuals seeking shelter, resources, and connection should not be criminalized; nor should organizations working to meet their needs. Legislators should prioritize understanding and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations rather than punishing them. Sustainable solutions to challenges our communities face depend on supportivenot punitivemeasures.

03-05-2025

Ashley Merkley

Please vote No on this bill. Homeless Iowans are already struggling and legislation like this that would criminalize their attempts to build shelter for themselves when many of them have situations that don't allow them to access shelter services (pets, trying to get sober, and as mentioned in the Senate subcommittee meeting fear of domestic violence, etc.) is wrong. We need to help homeless Iowans and criminalizing and enforcing penalties on them in their dire situations is not the moral or compassionate thing to do. We need to help our fellow Iowans and this bill would cause them more harm. It speaks that the Iowa Homeless Coalition, United Ways of Central Iowa, and the ACLU of Iowa have all registered against this bill, as all of these organizations have missions to help people. Additionally, every organization that registered on this bill that HELPS homeless people in Iowa registered AGAINST it. That speaks volumes. Homeless Iowans are living in poverty and charging them fines for just trying to survive is outright cruel and not helpful to anyone, especially not those directly impacted by not having adequate shelter. Please vote no on this bill and find ways to help homeless Iowans and not further harm them (investing in affordable housing and more inclusive and comprehensive support services, increasing funding for the programs and organizations that help, etc.); they deserve our compassion and to not have to fear retaliation and criminal fines. Additionally, many people have health conditions that can cause them to fall asleep, even in public, such as Narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder that impacts the sleepwake cycle and causes sleep attacks, so the part of this bill dealing with sleeping in public will harm everyone first and foremost, it will harm homeless Iowans, yes, but also anyone who has any health condition (or doesn't) that happens to fall asleep unintentionally in a public place. As senators from the Senate subcommittee meeting on the companion bill stated, "This would be particularly dangerous for women and children, those who have been the victims of abuse, if they're trying to flee an abusive situation and everybody knows exactly where they're gonna be in this city, if they can't stay in their car, they're probably gonna stay in that situation and it's gonna be incredibly dangerous for them. They're people. This is not a crime." Senator Weiner, and "You should have, I think this needs to be... the more I look through it, and the more things are in here it's amazing to me. I.. I'm just surprised, I'm shocked, 800 dollar fines for people who really don't have any money or are down on their luck... we've gotta think of something else..." Senator Sires. This bill has many harmful implications, many of which were highlighted by 2 of the 3 senators from the subcommittee meeting for the companion bill, and also, from every single advocate who spoke out against this bill. Not one person participating in the Senate subcommittee meeting spoke in favor of the legislation. It's clear that Iowans want to help our homeless population, and that this bill will only create more harms to this already disadvantaged, disenfranchised population. Please choose compassion, vote no, and find sustainable and compassionate ways to help our homeless Iowans. Thank you for your time and consideration.

03-05-2025

Lewis Cox

I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose HSB 286, which would criminalize homelessness in Iowa by imposing penalties on those who have no choice but to sleep in public spaces. This legislation does not address the root causes of homelessness but instead punishes those who are already among the most vulnerable in our communities.As a pastor in Iowa, I have seen firsthand how homelessness impacts individuals and families. Many are not homeless by choice but because of economic hardship, mental health struggles, domestic violence, or other systemic barriers. The proposed bill would not solve homelessnessit would only push people further into cycles of poverty and incarceration.The United Methodist Churchs Social Principles affirm that every person has the right to education, work, adequate health care, and housing (163, Book of Discipline). Housing is a fundamental human right, and our response should be rooted in compassion, not criminalization. HSB 286 directly contradicts these values by making it harder for those in need to access help while penalizing faith communities and service organizations already working to provide shelter and support.Moreover, this bill disproportionately harms marginalized populations, including LGBTQ+ youth, who are at significantly higher risk of homelessness. Studies consistently show that punitive approaches to homelessness failthey do not reduce homelessness but instead strain public resources, increase incarceration rates, and create additional burdens for local communities.I urge you to reject this harmful legislation and instead focus on evidencebased solutions such as: Expanding affordable housing initiatives Increasing funding for shelters and supportive services Strengthening partnerships between local governments and nonprofit organizationsPolicies should reflect the dignity of all people, not further marginalize those already struggling. Please vote NO on HSB 286 and work toward compassionate, sustainable solutions that uplift our neighbors in need.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Rev. Lewis Cox

03-05-2025

Pamela Larabee-Zierath

Please vote down this bill. It lacks any understanding of how people become homeless, how people offer support to them, or what will help them recover. And most importantly, it takes the human beings out of the equation. Many Iowans are losing jobs right now and many will face dire situations. Labeling them as criminals is simply cruel.

03-05-2025

Charlie Nelson

The homeless individuals within the Iowa City community do not need criminal charges; they need support. This bill is purely meant to kick the disadvantaged while they're down, and we cannot let it become law. Whatever happened to helping the needy & giving to those without? These people need support, not a mark on their record that will just make it harder for them to get back to where they want to be.Oppose this bill, or oppose your humanity.

03-05-2025

Martha Norbeck

The impact of criminal charges is magnified for lowincome individuals. When I apply for a job or a home, if someone did do a background check and found something, they'd reach out and ask for details. If you are poor, the door closes. No discussion. If things are so bad that you must sleep in your car/tent/box you are in need of compassion and housing first. If you want to help address the unhoused, simply fund housing. There is no utility in duplicating reporting requirements. Let shelters do what they do best, provide shelter. Help your neighbors, all of them. We are better than this.

03-05-2025

Greg Happel

I've worked with homeless people for two years now. I've been out there in freezing weather making sure they don't die because there isn't enough shelter space or they're scared to go there because of the conditions are awful. DO NOT PASS THIS

03-05-2025

Colleen Hjort-Frederiksen

I STRONGLY oppose HSB 286. Criminalizing being poor, having mental health issues, and/or substance abuse issues is not how we should be treating our fellow man. We need to support and uplift this community. Provide them with services they can access who treat them with dignity and respect. Like Jesus did. Please be more like Jesus and HELP people. Dont fine and jail them.

03-05-2025

Sarah Shatzer

Criminalization of the unhoused population in Iowa would be cruel and would not address the needs of the unhoused. Unhoused people need housing. They then need food, healthcare, and mental healthcare, which may include counseling for drug addiction. When these basic human needs are met, many people who were formerly unhoused may need help with finding work that pays a decent wage. All of this can be done, beginning with supporting nonprofits that do this work. I suggest that legislators meet with leaders of these nonprofits to discuss ways in which the state could offer support.

03-05-2025

Katie Smith

Please vote no, I strongly oppose this bill. The language in this is dangerous and vague. Criminalizing people and those trying to help will only make this situation worse. This bill does nothing to address the underlying contributing factors to homelessness, will end up costing more in the long run, and burden the police. This coming at a time when other safety net services, systems, and agencies are being cut talk about kicking people while theyre down. Again this is cruel and unnecessary legislation. Vote no

03-05-2025

Shane Gross

Please vote NO on this bill. Instead of criminalizing the unhoused why doesn't our state congress find a way to help these people with more housing, food pantries, mental health support, etc. After COVID there are many building sitting empty all over the state and country for that matter, use them!!! Each congress person that votes YES on this bill should ask themselves what if this was my Mom, Dad, Spouse, child, grandparent, neighbor... Come on Iowa, remember Jesus said, "love thy neighbor as thyself"!!!

03-05-2025

Alexis Chadwick

Please vote NO. I work for a domestic violence organization. Many of the survivors we serve who are in crisis, flee from abusive partners, and have the highest barriers to accessing services and resources might also be experiencing homelessness due to the abuse they have endured and needing to leave that situation immediately. This bill could also then criminalized them for trying to leave an abusive situation. That is wrong on so many levels. I say again vote no.

03-05-2025

Ellen McCabe

Vote NO on HSB 286. No funding appears to accompany the directives included in the bill. How are communities supposed to pay for law enforcement personnel to charge, track, and jail individuals and families who are unsheltered? This activity would divert attention away from behaviors we all agree are illegal. The cost of requiring law enforcement to compensate for the lack of affordable housing could be directed to housing solutions instead of increasing the trauma experienced by people who are homeless.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Fischer

This bill has several flaws. Criminalizing homelessness will not help. In fact, the bill would make exiting homelessness even more difficult, as criminal justice involvement adversely impacts the ability to find a rental unit. Ultimately, this would increase both the rate of homelessness in the state and the length of time to exit to housing. The issue that needs addressed is the need for affordable housing. The only way to solve homelessness is with homes. Instead of putting funds into policing homeless, why not put funds into building more homes. This bill is costly in the following ways:Enforcement would be costly: jail costs more than service provision and housing.Enforcement would be costly: overtime or expanded police forces.Enforcement would be costly: land would need to be either removed from public use, or newly acquired to be dedicated for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness to camp.In addition, unsheltered homelessness and camping are not considered safe for those experiencing homelessness. Let's make safety a priority and use our funds to build more shelters.

03-05-2025

Stephanie Heifner

Oppose HSB 286. This bill goes against provider expertise and recommendations, proven best practices, and a longstanding history of research, and, if made into law, will exacerbate homelessness in our state. The solution to homelessness is housing, not criminalization. See more here: https://www.willisdady.org/post/initialconcernsressb1195andhsb286?blmaid=155638784

03-05-2025

Michael Flaum

I am speaking here as a private citizen, not on behalf of any organization. I have been heartened by the degree to which housing providers in my community and throughout much of Iowa have embraced a "housing first" approach recognizing that homelessness is an enormous stressor, which either leads to or exacerbates mental health problems. As a longstanding provider of mental health services, it is clear that our best efforts to help those with mental health and addiction challenges are mostly doomed to failure if the person does not have a roof over their head. Housing providers who are stepping up to prioritize those with mental health and addiction challenges are not only doing the right thing by the individuals they serve, but they are a critical part of the service continuum, that ultimately saves money that would otherwise be expended in high cost health services, such as emergency rooms and inpatient psychiatric units. These housing providers should be supported for doing so not threatened with penalties. Please consider the potential unintended consequences of this bill.

03-05-2025

Kae Tritle

Being Homeless is not a criminal act. Homelessness is a complex issue that has many factors. Some of those factors are personal, but many are the result of our public, societical, and business policies and practices. Those on the margins with few supports and resources deserve to be treated with dignity as a person of worth and the right of selfdetermination. Criminalizaton of a societical issue does nothing to solve the issue. The majority of persons who are homeless are not a threat to society, but are just trying to survive. Please offer a handup and assistance by improving access to services, more transitional housing options, and working to understand these persons and their needs rather than treating them as disposible trash. Compassion is what is needed.Any one of us could be made homeless by a natural disaster, the loss of employment, health insurance, an accident that makes us disabled or any other unplanned misfortune or economic disaster. None of us is immune, but most of us have resources and/or persons to fall back on. Many who are homeless do not. Again I implore our legislatures to seek ways to provide personnel, supports, assistance, and housing options to real people in real need.

03-05-2025

Annoymous Annoymous

What happened to the housing first model? What happens to the organizations that the state pushed for to help house the homeless? Are you going to throw fines at everyone and incarnation for them. How is that going to help public dollars?Many of these people are homeless because of the economy. Many haven't been able to recover or have be denied everywhere because of their credit for the economy! I for one was homeless and these programs helped me, I was also on controlled substances. The organizations helped me, now you are saying don't help. Pk leave a family on the street and see if they can boost there confidence to find housing, jobs, etc. Have you spent the day with the homeless or even helped them find a job, find housing, get yelled at spit on or threatened by probably law makers like you. This is cruel and unjust to a human.

03-05-2025

Annoymous Annoymous

03-05-2025

Concerned Citizen

Vote No! What happened to the housing first model? What happens to the organizations that the state pushed for to help house the homeless? Are you going to throw fines at everyone and incarnation for them. How is that going to help public dollars?Many of these people are homeless because of the economy. Many haven't been able to recover or have be denied everywhere because of their credit for the economy! I for one was homeless and these programs helped me, I was also on controlled substances. The organizations helped me, now you are saying don't help. Pk leave a family on the street and see if they can boost there confidence to find housing, jobs, etc. Have you spent the day with the homeless or even helped them find a job, find housing, get yelled at spit on or threatened by probably law makers like you. This is cruel and unjust to a human.

03-05-2025

Cat Lang

Criminalizing homelessness....why?? If your goal is to create additional problems for all Iowans, you're certainly on track to do that. PLEASE VOTE NO on HSB 286. The PEOPLE of IOWA are speaking to you. PLEASE LISTEN.BRIEF OF 57 SOCIAL SCIENTISTS WITH PUBLISHED RESEARCH ON HOMELESSNESS AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTShttps://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23175/306641/2024040314565702723175%20Amicus%20Brief.pdf

03-05-2025

Janelle Keltgen

Please vote NO on this proposal. Why should a homeless person become criminalized simply by being homeless. The cycle will never end for the homeless if they are penalized. There's got to be a better solution for this situation. Dig deeper and find a better one!!Also, penalizing the cities/agencies attempting to assist the homeless is punitive. This is an unecessary part of the proposal, looking only to penalize, not solve.

03-05-2025

Tom Chalstrom

Please vote NO on HSB 286. This bill goes against provider expertise and recommendations, proven best practices, and a longstanding history of research, and, if made into law, will exacerbate homelessness in our state. The solution to homelessness is housing, not criminalization. I oppose this bill on these grounds:1) It criminalizes and fines people who are experiencing homelessness without addressing what would happen in the common event that a shelter is full.2) It calls for warehousing people in formal encampments, rather than helping them find housing. Encampment zones without additional funding to have qualified, skilled staff to support individuals and families will create isolated service gaps and increase barriers to accessing services.3) It makes housing and shelter providers accountable for activities occurring on others' private property and over which they have no legal right to enter, monitor, or control behaviors.4) It is redundant in its provisions by placing extreme consequences for already illegal activities.5) The bill further penalizes organizations if these prohibited activities occur off of their property by making them ineligible to receive state funding for three years.6) The bill is not committing funding to new measures proposed and will cost our community significantly to enforce.This legislation will divert resources from proven solutions to homelessness. Iowa must not continue developing revolving doors for people who are experiencing homelessness. Arresting and jailing people experiencing homelessness under laws that criminalize homelessness cost exponentially more than housing and services cost. We must continue investing in permanent solutions to homelessness instead of expensive, temporary options that are being presented from people who are not experts in this field.Homelessness is already a traumatizing experience without adding in further restrictions, criminalization, and fines. This bill would make exiting homelessness even more difficult, as criminal justice involvement adversely impacts the ability to find a rental unit, and monetary burdens would further diminish the ability to pay a rental deposit and other housing related expenses. Ultimately, this would increase both the rate of homelessness in the state and the length of time to exit to housing.Again, I urge you to vote NO on HSB 286

03-05-2025

Rita Carter

I oppose HSB 286 because it criminalizes persons for trying to sleep. I have been acquainted with several different persons who have been without a permanent place to stay over the years. Some have been families with children, some have been related to each other, some have said they "chose" to be on their own. Generally the people I have met share issues of trauma or other life difficulties. They are already being penalized, and we need to focus on the ways that may help them become more stable. Making them criminals is not the way to do this! Do not advance HSB 286!

03-05-2025

Britta Loftus

Please vote no on HSB 286. The bill criminalizes homelessness, which does nothing to help the issue of homelessness in Iowa. It just punishes already vulnerable Iowans. Please focus on providing affordable housing in Iowa instead of this cruel bill.

03-05-2025

Mikhail Acherkan

VOTE NO!This session of the legislature just stirs up prejudice. This bill solves nothing because homelessness can't be fixed by cops. If you want to do something about poverty you should give Iowa communities the resources they need to put people in stable housing.

03-05-2025

Joseph Stevens

HSB286 is nothing short of a moral failure. Instead of addressing the root causes of homelessnessaffordable housing shortages, inadequate mental health care, and povertythis bill criminalizes the most vulnerable among us for simply existing in public spaces. Legislators who support this bill are not governing with compassion or reason; they are choosing cruelty over solutions, punishment over progress. Creating sanctioned camping areas while penalizing people for sleeping elsewhere does nothing to solve the crisisit simply hides it from public view. Worse, the introduction of socalled drugfree homeless service zones is a blatant excuse to deny aid to those who need it most, forcing struggling individuals further into instability instead of offering real help. If your response to homelessness is to push people further into the margins rather than provide pathways to stability, then you are not fit to lead.History will not be kind to those who use legislative power to target the powerless. The people of Iowa deserve representatives who will fight for all their constituents, not just those with the privilege of secure housing. Where is the funding for housingfirst initiatives? Where are the investments in job training, addiction services, and mental health care? If you truly believe in the values of responsibility and community, then you must abandon this disgraceful bill and focus on real solutions. Iowa does not need more cruelty disguised as governance. It needs leaders with the courage to do what is right. Criminalizing homelessness will never solve homelessnessbut investing in real support systems will.

03-05-2025

Chris Dunn [Humility Homes and Services]

Criminalizing homelessness is an awful way of addressing homelessness. People experiencing homelessness need assistance. We , as a society ought to be providing assistance. This bill does the opposite by creating barriers for people struggling to regain a place to live. I urge you to vote no on this bill!!

03-11-2025

Katherine Pierson

I do not support this bill. This is yet another example of not addressing systemic issues and instead criminalizing vulnerable members of our community. It will even criminalize agencies in our community set up to provide support and cut off valuable resources.