22-04-2025
Sioux City awarded $25k to help create Homeless Court Program
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The state of Iowa has provided Sioux City with a grant going towards the creation of a program to help homeless people navigate legal barriers, the first of its kind in the state.
According to a release, the Iowa Finance Authority's Board of Directors awarded the city with $25,000 to support the creation of a Homeless Court Program (HCP). These programs aim to create a 'community-based alternative to the traditional courtroom.'
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As part of an HCP, local organizations and legal experts would work to resolve a person's existing misdemeanor offenses, infractions and warrants. These issues often prevent homeless people from securing housing and employment, the IFA says.
'The creation of the Sioux City Homeless Court Program is an important step in breaking down legal barriers that prevent individuals from achieving stable housing and jobs,' said Jill Wanderscheid, Sioux City's Neighborhood Services Manager, in a statement. 'With 206 households, consisting of 286 individuals, currently on the Sioux City's Coordinated Entry list waiting for housing resources, this program will play a crucial role in addressing homelessness in our community.'
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The money comes through the IFA's Emergency and Innovative Housing Fund. The fund was created in 2024 in response to emergency housing needs as a result of disasters or other crises.
Though this will be the first HCP in Iowa, over 70 similar programs have been established across the country since 2001. These programs will provide technical assistance for Sioux City's HCP.
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