Rapid City, SD – The city council on Monday tabled a motion of appeal by the First Presbyterian Church on the planning committee’s denial, which would allow the church to create a warming center in collaboration with the He Sapa Community Alliance for people experiencing homelessness within Rapid City.
The problem of homelessness in Rapid City is a significant one, as homelessness rose steeply during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, with homelessness dropping somewhat, with 428 persons according to a 2024 estimate, meaning that 1 in 200 people in Rapid City still experience homelessness in rapid city. This count places Rapid City at a significantly higher rate of homelessness than the nationwide average, according to the annual homelessness assessment report (AHAR) compiled by the federal Office of Policy Development and Research.
Public statement to pass the motion was impassioned, with Adam Knudson, pastor and head of the church saying “Helping those who are less fortunate is not a political issue for us, it is a religious and moral obligation”. Lila Mehlhaff, former human services coordinator also spoke in support of the motion, saying “If not here, then where? Just saying ‘no’ and requiring applicants wishing to comply with the law to pay $250 for you to say ‘no’ each time is not an acceptable solution for the overall good of the community.” Others called on other churches to make the same request, another impassionedly recounted friends experiencing homelessness passing as a result of a lack of options in the cold South Dakota winters.
The future of this motion remains unclear.
