Florida will ban thousands of homeless people from setting up camps or sleeping on public property under a bill lawmakers sent to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who supports the idea.
Counties, with approval from the state’s Department of Children and Families, could designate areas for homeless people to camp for up to one year under the bill the Senate approved 27-12 late Tuesday night. Anyone using those campsites would be prohibited from consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.
Supporters say the bill will help eliminate nuisances caused by homeless people living in parks and public properties.
They also argue it will make it easier to provide local services to homeless people if they are in one location.
“It is our responsibility to care for the homeless, and that’s why we can’t wait any longer to offer this solution. The current model isn’t working,” said Republican Senator Jonathan Martin, the bill’s sponsor. “This bill is a compassionate response to the shortage of shelters.”
Martin said about 30,000 Floridians are unhoused, and roughly half of them lack shelter.
But opponents said the bill is simply an effort to gather homeless people and remove them from public view.
“This bill does not address, nor will it address, the most pressing and fundamental cause of homelessness,” said Democratic Senator Shevrin Jones. “We are literally rearranging the visibility of homeless people without an exit strategy for those who find themselves unhoused.”
Opponents also said there is nothing in the bill to ensure that sex offenders and children won’t live too close to government-designated campsites, or that the campsites will be safe and sanitary.
The bill defines public camping as “remaining overnight in a temporary outdoor enclosure 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.”
The ban would not apply to people sleeping in legally parked vehicles.
It will take effect on October 1 if signed by DeSantis.
Image: Wflx
