The Des Moines City Council on Jan. 13 authorized staff to apply to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG CV) funds to cover capital costs for a proposed “pallet village” shelter. Council action approved the city filing the grant application; further detail and operating arrangements were discussed but not resolved.

Members of the public and service providers urged the city to secure partner organizations to operate the site and to clarify intake, safety and equity protocols. Adam Callan, a Ward 3 resident, said the pallet-village concept is “a good idea” but expressed disappointment that the city had not provided an update on broader homelessness directives he expected from the city manager’s office.

“We need to meet with organizations like 1 Iowa,” Max, who identified himself as executive director of 1 Iowa and 1 Iowa Action, told the council. He said the LGBTQ community has reported disproportionate impacts from enforcement and that segregated or separate housing options for LGBTQ people can create logistical and safety concerns if not designed and run with affirming practices.

City Manager Scott Sanders told the council the city has about a month to confirm partners willing to operate the site and that success will likely require partnerships among multiple organizations and private donors. Sanders said the grant request in the meeting packet covers capital costs; ongoing operating costs remain to be identified and funded.

One council member told colleagues that the recommended operating budget for a pallet-village of about 40 units may approach $1,000,000 annually, citing builder or operator guidance; council members and the city manager said they would pursue private and philanthropic partnerships to cover ongoing services.

Several council members also emphasized the proposal predated recent ordinance changes and that the pallet-village was part of a multi-pronged strategy discussed in previous sessions; they urged the city to continue outreach and to ensure supportive services are in place before a village opens.

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The council authorized the grant application; staff noted that additional work is required to secure service providers and operating dollars and that they will pursue a public–private partnership model if the capital award is received.