Florida estimates it has about 31,000 homeless people
A new Florida law prohibiting homeless individuals from sleeping outside took effect on Tuesday. House Bill 1365 bans camping on streets, sidewalks, and in parks, mandating that local governments provide temporary housing options. In these shelters, residents will be prohibited from using drugs and will have access to substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the law strikes “the right balance,” emphasizing the priority of public safety. Additionally, individuals will have the ability to sue counties that fail to address public sleeping. However, a three-month grace period is in place before such lawsuits can commence.
As of the law’s implementation, Florida estimates that around 31,000 people are experiencing homelessness. Mildred Forti, a resident in Miami, expressed her frustration to CBS News Miami, saying, “To be camping out in public… because we can’t find a place to live… This is another stupid law.” She and her husband have been homeless in Miami for several months.
Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, acknowledged the challenges and stated that efforts are underway to create more shelter and housing opportunities. He mentioned plans to establish a navigation center, a step below traditional shelters, hoping to have it operational by the end of the year. Book also revealed that they aim to relocate over 140 individuals into rental units at the La Quinta Hotel by December 31, 2024. This hotel in Cutler Bay is set to be transformed into housing for low-income seniors.
Further initiatives include the construction of an eight-unit building in Overtown and 190 single-occupancy units for men near Krome, with an additional 80 beds identified for another shelter in the coming month.
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony commented on the law via social media, asserting that “Homelessness is not a crime.” Under the new legislation, local governments have the option to designate county-owned land for people to sleep on, provided that it remains clean, safe, and offers access to showers and mental health services.
For a campsite to be approved, counties must demonstrate a lack of sufficient beds in local homeless shelters and ensure that the campsite does not negatively impact property values or the safety of surrounding homes and businesses.
