SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — In August, the Sioux Falls City Council passed a new dwelling ordinance that prohibits tents and dwellings in public places. The issue was becoming visible, and the city’s goal was to solve the problem before it got bigger.
“Most of the rationale behind the encampment ordinance was proactive in nature,” said Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken. “Because what we saw was a lot of communities that had encampment challenges, and then they tried to bring in an ordinance and it became very controversial.”
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Two months ago, the area around Fawick Park was full of tents and tarps that people lived in. But now, only trash and a few belongings remain.
“We also want to be able to provide a 24-hour notice within this ordinance to folks so that they have a little bit of time before we would then have to remove any of their items, dwellings. As well as providing short-term storage for those individuals as well,” said Michelle Treasure, the homelessness coordinator for the city of Sioux Falls…