Ron DeSantis signs anti-homeless encampment law
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Wednesday to crack down on public homeless encampments across Florida.
The new Florida law bars local governments from allowing public sleeping or camping on public property without a lawful permit.
Instead, the local jurisdictions can set certain public properties or venues to be used for public camping or sleeping for up to one year.
DeSantis highlighted the massive impact of homeless camps on cities across the country and in Florida.
“We do not have any cities in the top 10 with respect to homeless,” he said. “Part of that, I think, is because we have different policies.”
He added that the bill will also ensure that where designated camps are allowed, a priority will be addressing mental health problems.
Those designated properties have to abide by certain standards. That includes things like maintaining sanitation, running water and ensuring access to behavioral health services, to deal with problems like substance abuse and metal health.
The legislation was brought by Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island.
Garrison emphasized that it’s important for Florida’s public spaces to remain protected, warning it’s hard to get them back once lost.
Martin called the bill “cutting edge” and said it’s advantageous to have homeless populations in a designated, secure area, where nonprofits, volunteers and mental health professionals can more readily access those in need.
“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,” Martin previously said.
The governor included that Florida is still doing better than the country-at-large in terms of homeless population trends. However, he said that’s no reason for inaction.
The senator said that the federal government is giving over $100 million dollars to try to give housing solutions to the homeless, and despite that, the homeless population continues rising.
Martin noted that the bill doesn’t simply “criminalize” the homeless. Instead, it “authorizes individuals and businesses to seek a private right of action against cities or counties that do not follow the law.”
DeSantis had endorsed the measure in February as the bill was still making progress in the Florida Legislature.
He previously referenced San Francisco’s homeless problem, and spoke in front of a sign that said, “don’t allow Florida to become San Francisco.”
The law signed by the governor takes effect Oct. 1.
