TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida will ban thousands of homeless people from setting up camp or sleeping on public property under a bill lawmakers sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who supports the idea.
Counties, with approval from the state Department of Children and Families, would be able to designate areas for the homeless to camp for up to a year under the bill the Senate passed 27-12 late Tuesday. Anyone using those encampments would be prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs.
Supporters say the bill will help eliminate the nuisance of homeless people living on public property and parks. They also argue it will be easier to provide local services to the homeless if they’re in one location.
“It’s our responsibility to deal with homelessness and that’s why we can’t wait any longer to bring this solution. The current model is not working,” said Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin, the bill’s sponsor. “This bill is a compassionate response to the shortage of shelters.”
Martin said about 30,000 Floridians don’t have a home, and about half of them don’t have shelter.
But opponents said the bill is simply an effort to gather up the homeless and get them out of public view.
“This bill does not and it will not address the more pressing and root cause of homelessness,” said Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones. “We are literally reshuffling the visibility of unhoused individuals with no exit strategy for people who are experiencing homelessness.”
Opponents also said there’s nothing in the bill that ensures sexual offenders and children won’t be living in close proximity in the government-designated encampments, or that the encampments will be safe and sanitary.
The bill defines public camping as “residing overnight in a temporary outdoor habitation used as a dwelling or living space and evidenced by the erection of a tent or other temporary shelter, the presence of bedding or pillows, or the storage of personal belongings.”
It wouldn’t apply to people sleeping in legally parked vehicles.
It will take effect Oct. 1 if signed by DeSantis.
Florida is set to implement new regulations that will prohibit homeless individuals from sleeping on public property. The move has sparked controversy and debate among advocates for the homeless, city officials, and residents.
The new regulations come as a response to the growing issue of homelessness in Florida, particularly in major cities like Miami and Orlando. According to recent data, the number of homeless individuals in Florida has been steadily increasing over the past few years, with many resorting to sleeping on sidewalks, parks, and other public spaces.
Proponents of the new regulations argue that allowing homeless individuals to sleep on public property poses safety and health risks for both the individuals themselves and the general public. They argue that it can lead to unsanitary conditions, increased crime rates, and hinder economic development in the affected areas.
On the other hand, opponents of the regulations argue that they are discriminatory and inhumane. They argue that homeless individuals have no choice but to sleep on public property due to lack of affordable housing options and shelter availability. Prohibiting them from doing so only exacerbates their already dire situation and pushes them further into the margins of society.
Advocates for the homeless are calling for a more compassionate and holistic approach to addressing homelessness in Florida. They argue that instead of criminalizing homelessness, efforts should be focused on providing more affordable housing options, mental health services, and job training programs to help homeless individuals get back on their feet.
City officials are also facing pressure to come up with alternative solutions to address the issue of homelessness. Some cities have implemented programs that provide temporary shelter, job placement assistance, and mental health services to homeless individuals in an effort to help them transition out of homelessness.
As the debate continues, it is clear that addressing homelessness in Florida requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into consideration the complex social, economic, and health factors that contribute to the issue. While the new regulations may provide a temporary solution, long-term solutions that address the root causes of homelessness are needed to truly make a difference in the lives of those affected.
