Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Wednesday banning thousands of people experiencing homelessness from setting up camp or sleeping on public property in Florida.
Counties, with approval from the state Department of Children and Families, will be able to designate areas for people who are homeless to camp for up to a year, and anyone using those encampments is prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs.
WATCH: Press play below for a replay of DeSantis’ news conference and bill signing
Supporters say the bill will help eliminate the nuisance of people who are homeless living on public property and parks. They also argue it will be easier to provide local services to those experiencing homelessness 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.
The Governor’s Office said the legislation requires counties to ensure that individuals who are homeless receive the mental health and drug addiction services they need while they’re living in the designated location.
“Florida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California,” DeSantis said. “The legislation I signed today upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet.”
Under HB 1365:
- Individuals who are homeless are prohibited from camping on city streets, sidewalks, and parks—and are instead placed in temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement agencies.
- The state of Florida has the enforcement tools needed to ensure local governments comply.
- Homeless shelters will require occupants to not use drugs.
- These shelters will also include substance abuse and mental health treatments.
HB 1365 also provides alternatives for when homeless shelters have reached their maximum capacity, the Governor’s Office said:
- It directs the Department of Children and Families to authorize temporary campsites that do the following:
- Maintain sanitation, including access to clean and operable restrooms and running water.
- Provide access to substance abuse and mental health treatment resources through coordination with the regional managing entity.
- Prohibit illegal substance use and alcohol use on the property and enforce this prohibition.
Opponents said the bill is simply an effort to gather up those who are 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 will take effect Oct. 1.