JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Wednesday making it illegal for unhoused people to sleep overnight in public places, people without homes are left questioning what’s next for them.
“If you’re going to ban it, then why don’t you take some of these abandoned buildings sitting around here and make them homeless places?” Vickie Eichelberger, who is unhoused said.
Under the bill that would take effect in October, counties will be able to designate temporary campsite locations, which will require clean restrooms, running water and security.
The sites would also have to provide access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, and illegal drug use and alcohol consumption would be prohibited.
Watch the governor’s full news conference here
“Now, Florida wants you off the streets, but they are not trying to get you off the streets if you don’t have access to funds,” Ryan Scott, who is unhoused said.
Supporters said the law will help eliminate the nuisance of people who are homeless living on public property and parks.
“Hopefully, we don’t have to worry about that anymore,” said Freddy Ghobad, who is the owner of Casa Dora Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria in downtown Jacksonville.
Ghobad welcomes the new law because he said there have been times when people without homes have slept on the ground right in front of his entrance.
“It’s going to happen again, so we just have to deal with it. Hopefully less than what it has been lately,” he said.
Some lawmakers who opposed the new law spoke against it after the governor signed the bill.
State Senator Shevrin Jones issued a statement that said, in part, “Safe, stable housing is a human right, and the legislature should prioritize solutions and getting local partners and communities the resources they need to build pathways toward housing — not criminalizing our fellow human beings.”
State Senator Rosalind Osgood also talked about her experience with homelessness.
“As someone who has experienced homelessness firsthand, I am deeply troubled by this law. It’s imperative to recognize that behind the statistics and legislation, we are dealing with real people facing real struggles,” Osgood said.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan released a statement about the bill:
“For many months, we have been pursuing bipartisan local efforts to solve homelessness for the citizens of Jacksonville, including programs that address chronic homelessness and also keep people from becoming homeless. My administration’s work on this began before the legislative session and it will continue in the months ahead. These plans will of course be compliant with the direction provided by HB 1365. I look forward to sharing those details soon.”
Ghobad said in the past, people sleeping in front of his business has deterred restaurant-goers.
Dinya Dybas was visiting Jacksonville from Florida’s panhandle. She said she would have returned to the hotel if that was her experience.
“If there had been homeless people sitting here, we would not have given this place any business,” Dybas said. “It’s very important to not have that atmosphere in front of your storefront, especially a camp in front of your business. It’s not fair.”
Vernon Hall, who is also unhoused, said he understands that tourists want to come to the city and enjoy themselves but there are also deeper issues that need to be addressed.
“I think tourists should be able to enjoy downtown. I do. I also believe homeless people shouldn’t be in their way. A lot of homeless people can’t get help because of their problems with mental issues and issues with money and we are family. It’s going to be a hard thing to do. A hard road,” Hall said.
Ghobah said despite his support of the law, he still wants people without homes to get the help they need to get off the streets eventually.