Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis (R), approved a law on Wednesday which prohibits homeless individuals from camping in the state's public spaces.
“Florida will not tolerate homeless camps affecting its residents or lowering their standard of living as we observe in states such as New York and California,” DeSantis mentioned in a statement. “The law I signed today maintains our dedication to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the support they require to get back on track.”
The bill, H.B. 1365, will take effect Oct. 1. According to the law, homeless individuals are not allowed to camp on city streets, sidewalks, or in parks. The shelters they will instead be placed in will be monitored by law enforcement agencies, DeSantis’s release said.
It mandates cities to establish designated areas for camping and sleeping if homeless shelters are full. The areas must have access to “clean and operable restrooms and running water.”
The sites also must have security present at all times and access to behavioral health services, including substance abuse and mental health resources, according to the legislation. Drug and alcohol use on the properties will not be tolerated, and officials will “enforce this prohibition.”
In an online post, DeSantis released information about the state’s homeless population. It stated that despite Florida being the third most populous state in the country, it does not have a city in the top 10 of homeless populations. The release also mentioned that while Florida’s overall population “has grown, the state has seen one of the largest reductions in the homelessness rate” since 2019.
Democratic lawmakers remarked that the bill was put forward despite the absence of any studies or data to support it, according to the Tampa Bay Times reported.
“The disorder seen in ‘progressive’ cities–sprawling encampments, open-air drug markets, and homeless individuals endangering themselves and others–is completely avoidable,” DeSantis posted on X, formerly Twitter. “We won’t accept it in Florida, and our action today is one of many steps we’re taking to keep our cities clean and safe for everyone.”
