DES MOINES, Iowa — Last year, the city of Des Moines passed a camping ordinance to ban homeless individuals from sleeping and camping in public places. The penalty for those caught violating the ordinance is a $15 fine.

Monday night, the council approved a change to allow churches to act as emergency shelters for homeless people.

Churches would open during extreme temperature situations — when temperatures reach above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees. City leaders say this change would allow places of worship to provide this assistance, but say it is not mandatory.

“One thing for the city, you know, what we can do as a community, not just the city, but looking at our faith-based leaders, other nonprofits being able to help. This is a time of need. There’s, there’s not enough places where people can stay. And I think in the time of need, expanding the churches to be able to do this, enabling them to do this, is a step in the right direction,” said Chris Johansen, Neighborhood Services Department Director for the city of Des Moines.

Des Moines leaders say they’re willing to work with area churches on providing assistance they may need to help people during that time.