JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville is set to hold a news conference Monday outlining its plan to address a new Florida law.
House Bill 1365 makes it illegal to sleep in public spaces and outlines the exact parameters of where people experiencing homelessness can stay.
Mayor Donna Deegan announced her budget proposal last Monday and combatting homelessness was a big topic of discussion.
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“We wanted people to have some dignity with this process,” Deegan said.
The budget proposal includes $10 million to help those who are currently unhoused.
“You will see that full plan soon. But it comes with wraparound services, it comes with housing, and there are various forms of housing that we’re going to be putting people into,” Deegan said. “We wanted to avoid having a tent city. "
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That proposal came as House Bill 1365 is set to go into effect on Oct. 1.
The new law will keep people from camping or sleeping in public spaces.
“So the best thing in this bill is that our Florida Legislature agreed that no Floridians should have to sleep in the rough or outside without anything, right? I think we can all agree that no human being should be forced to sleep out in Florida,” CEO of Changing Homelessness Dawn Gilman said.
When Gov. Ron DeSantis put his pen to paper on this bill in March, people experiencing homelessness spoke with News4JAX reporter Erik Avanier about the prospect of having to leave where they were, saying being arrested might be the best option.
“What are they going to do, arrest me? Well, at least I get three meals and a cot. That’s the only way they’re going to keep me from doing that,” Patricia said.
The new law says people experiencing homelessness must go to temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement.
If those shelters reach capacity, then temporary campsites can be set up.
But those sites must have access to restrooms and running water — and drug and alcohol use will be prohibited.
The council’s finance committee is set to meet throughout August to discuss Deegan’s proposed budget before the full city council votes on it in September.