Local organizations held a listening session on Wednesday for Iowa’s first homeless court program meant to help people experiencing homelessness.
The homeless court program helps people experiencing homelessness by resolving legal barriers that prevent access to stable housing and employment. It allows participants to work with a local case manager to resolve legal issues, develop an action plan, and secure specialized assistance.
According to organizers, the program aims to reduce cross-system recidivism, increase accountability and service engagement, improve public safety, and support long-term housing and recovery stability, as first reported by KTIV.
Jennifer Jackson, executive director of Heartland Counseling Services, said the project is acknowledging people’s hard work they’re doing to improve themselves and the community.
Clients will go through a five-step process, which could take up to 80 days to complete, to address the root cause of their homelessness. If they successfully complete the program, court cases may be dismissed, and fees or fines could be removed.
Local shelters, service agencies, prosecutors, and public defenders will work together to provide the community-based alternative court session.
In April, the city of Sioux City received $25,000 from the Iowa Finance Authority to create the program.
There is work still to be done before the program officially launches.
