Florida lawmakers will prohibit thousands of homeless people from camping or sleeping on public property under a bill 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 passed by the Senate 27-12 on Tuesday. Anyone using those encampments would be prohibited from consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.
Supporters claim the bill will help to eliminate the nuisance of homeless people living on public property and parks. They also argue that concentrating the homeless in one location will make it easier to provide local services to them.
Approximately 30,000 Floridians are homeless, with roughly half of them lacking access to shelter
“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.”
According to Martin, approximately 30,000 Floridians are homeless, with roughly half of them lacking access to shelter.
Opponents argue that the bill is simply an attempt to gather the homeless and remove them from public view.
It would not apply to people sleeping in legally parked cars
“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 claimed that the bill contains no provisions to ensure that sexual offenders and children do not coexist in government-designated encampments, or that the encampments are safe and sanitary.
The law 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 would not apply to people sleeping in legally parked cars. It will take effect on October 1 if signed by DeSantis.