Day on the Hill

Despite passing the House three times, eviction expungement was not introduced by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2024, taking us back to the beginning for 2025. Meanwhile, businesses struggle to find housing for their workers who fit the description of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Businesses and housing and homeless advocates share a similar goal: we need affordable housing to meet the needs of Iowans.

This year, we will be partnering with the Iowa Housing Partnership to hold a Day on the Hill on February 4, 2025. We welcome your participation as we continue to lift up the need for eviction expungement and to fight back against the criminalization of homelessness. ​

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                      Pictures are from the 2024 Iowa Homelessness Coalition Day on the Hill

 

Legislative Priority: Eviction Expungement

Homeward will be advocating for the introduction of legislation to address eviction expungement . In 2024, this legislation had significant support from entities including Conlin Properties, ACLU-Iowa, United Way of Central Iowa, Iowa State Bar Association, The Family Leader Foundation, Iowa Community Action Association, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Polk County Board of Supervisors, Common Good Iowa, City of Des Moines, Iowa ACES 360, Iowa Housing Partnership, Iowa Catholic Conference, Soaring Hearts, and the Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance.

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Eviction Expungement talking points can be found HERE.

A fact sheet to understanding homelessness in Iowa can be found HERE.

A fact sheet to understand how Iowa data compares to surrounding states, can be found HERE.

A fact sheet published by Iowa Legal Aid related to 2023 and January 2024 eviction filings in Iowa can be found HERE.

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In 2024, Criminalization of homelessness also hits Iowa.

February 13, 2024...The Senate Study Bill 3175 was introduced for consideration by the Senate Local Government committee. This legislation, while temporarily pulled, criminalizes homelessness while diverting funding from effective program approaches  to funding of required encampments. Cities could also be financially punished for not arresting individuals experiencing homelessness. This specific legislation is backed by the Cicero Institute. For talking points on how to respond to legislation criminalizing homelessness, please see the Housing not Handcuffs talking points HERE.

In July 2024, the City of Des Moines City Council attempted to fast-track two city ordinances that also criminalize homelessness. These two ordinances, while not yet operationalized, passed the Des Moines City Council with a 5-2 vote on the grounds of a promise to fund three additional outreach staff, a police officer liaison, provide public restrooms, and provide $50k toward prevention services PRIOR to the ordinance taking effect. Advocates made it known that while the services are a step in the right direction, it still does not address the fundamental challenge of homelessness, which is a lack of affordable housing. 

We encourage advocates to speak to their city council about innovative strategies to address the lack of affordable housing specifically for those who have a disability, live on a fixed income, or are employed and fit into the definition of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). To find out more about ALICE, please visit https://www.unitedforalice.org/state-overview/Iowa

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Who are my legislators?

Often times, it can be difficult to track who is your local State Senator and Representative. That information can be found at www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

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