The Fort Dodge Board of Adjustment is scheduled to meet this week to consider action regarding a planned ‘lodging house’ in Fort Dodge.
The application was filed on behalf of Church of Damascus Road (CODR) for a property at 512 North 15th Street. According to the memo to the Board, CODR offers faith-based services in the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility and is looking to expand its offerings to individuals after they are released. CODR is a Ministry of Saint Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge.
A ‘lodging house’ is defined as a building originally designed for or use as a single-family, two-family, or multiple-family dwellings, all or a portion of which contains lodging rooms or rooming units which accommodate persons who are not members of the keeper’s family.
According to the application, the property would house up to five men recently released from the correctional facility, each in their own room. The property would be monitored daily by CODR staff to ensure residents are following the guidelines set forth. All residents would be required to maintain gainful employment, and be expected to provide their own food. Among other rules, drugs, alcohol, firearms, and other weapons would be forbidden at the property.
According to information provided by CODR from the Iowa Department of Corrections, 37% of inmates reoffend and those recently incarcerated are 10 times more likely to be homeless. Part of CODR’s mission is to assist applicants by eliminating conditions that lead to recidivism, including unemployment or lack of housing.
The meeting is scheduled December 3rd, 2024 at 4:30 PM in the Council Chambers of the Fort Dodge Municipal Building.
