Des Moines city leaders looking to build shelter village for homeless population [Video]

DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines city leaders are moving forward with plans to build a “pallet shelter village” for homeless individuals.

At Monday’s meeting, the council approved an application for a $2 million Community Development Block Grant to fund the shelters, which would be located off East Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway. 

“I think we should be looking at all solutions, and the pallet home certainly fits into that,” councilmember Josh Mandelbaum said.

Offering comments on the proposition, some residents suggested this was the council’s way of responding to backlash over the controversial camping ban approved last year. 

“We passed this the night of the ordinance… This is part of the plan. That’s why we’re applying for these funds. It’s what many of us that night supported, and we’re moving forward to it,” councilmember Chris Coleman said in response. 

The village …