Rawlins Approves Tent Cities Within City Limits

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Associated Press

RAWLINS, Wyo. — Temporary housing will be going up in Rawlins after the City Council voted to allow man camps within the city’s limits.

The Rawlins Daily Times reports that the council voted 5-1 to approve a special use permit to place temporary housing near Rawlins’ Travel Centers of America location, which is already zoned for commercial use.

The vote comes after a heated public hearing on the issue, where many residents expressed concerns about temporary housing.

Many council members said the city was in need of temporary housing, ultimately prioritizing homes over complaints. Councilwoman Linda Smith said she would never vote for something that made the community unsafe.