New Florida law bans homeless from camping outdoors

Karah Rucker

A NEW LAW IS NOW IN EFFECT ACROSS FLORIDA, BANNING INDIVIDUALS FROM SLEEPING IN STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND PARKS. 

HOUSE BILL 1365 PROHIBITS COUNTIES & MUNICIPALITIES FROM ALLOWING PUBLIC CAMPING OR SLEEPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WITHOUT CERTIFICATION. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR THOSE IN NEED, WHILE ALSO OFFERING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS SAYS THE LAW IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY. BUT CRITICS ARGUE IT DOESN’T ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS. 

UNDER THE LAW… CITIZENS CAN SUE COUNTIES THAT DON’T ENFORCE THE BAN, BUT THERE IS CURRENTLY A THREE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD BEFORE ANY LAWSUITS CAN BEGIN.

IN RESPONSE, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING QUICKLY TO INCREASE SHELTER OPTIONS. IN MIAMI-DADE, ‘THE HOMELESS TRUST’ PLANS TO CONVERT A LA QUINTA HOTEL INTO HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS, WITH HOPES OF MOVING OVER 140 PEOPLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

COUNTIES ARE ALLOWED TO DESIGNATE COUNTY-OWNED LAND FOR HOMELESS CAMPS IF THEY PROVIDE ACCESS TO SHOWERS AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. BUT THEY MUST PROVE THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS AND ENSURE THESE CAMPS DON’T HARM LOCAL PROPERTY VALUES OR SAFETY.

MANY EXPRESSED CONCERNS AS TO WHETHER THE NEW LAW WILL LEAD TO A LARGE SURGE OF ARRESTS. FLORIDA ESTIMATES THE STATE HAS AROUND 31-THOUSAND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AS OF 2024.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M KARAH RUCKER.