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By Natalie Venegas
Weekend Reporter
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Florida's homeless are now banned from sleeping on sidewalks, in parks and other public spaces as one of the country's strictest anti-homelessness measures went into effect on Tuesday.
Signed into law by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in March, the law mandates local governments to implement ordinances to get homeless individuals off the streets as it prohibits the homeless from camping on city streets, sidewalks and public parks in the state.
In addition, residents, business owners and the state can sue municipalities that fail to enforce the state ban starting on January 1.
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Florida's homeless population is estimated at 31,000—a figure likely underreported, according to advocates. Despite the state's smaller homeless population compared to California or New York, the law garnered overwhelming support in the Florida Legislature, where residents expressed frustration over public spaces being overtaken by homeless individuals.
State Senator Jonathan Martin, a Republican who sponsored the bill, stated: "It's our responsibility to deal with homelessness, and that's why we can't wait any longer."
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DeSantis echoed those sentiments in comments made in March after signing the bill.
"I think this is absolutely the right balance to strike," DeSantis said at the time. "We want to make sure we put public safety above all else."
However, local officials are bracing for a wave of lawsuits.
"There will be quite a few enterprising attorneys out there who will use this as an opportunity to rake in tens of thousands of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars," warned Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, a Democrat.
The result, Trantalis fears, could drain funds that could otherwise be used to address the root causes of homelessness.
Newsweek reached out to Trantalis via email on Tuesday for comment.
Florida has allocated $30 million to help cities and counties comply with the law, including provisions for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Yet, with Florida's largest counties receiving just $600,000 each, many argue the funding falls far short of what's needed.
Under the new statute, counties without sufficient shelter beds can erect outdoor encampments, where the homeless could live for up to a year under 24-hour security. However, local leaders in South Florida are scrambling to avoid this option, aiming instead for more sustainable solutions.
South Florida is home to about 8,500 homeless individuals, with roughly 1,650 seeking housing in Broward County alone. The county has only 700 shelter beds, and most of them are full. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony has made it clear his deputies won't arrest individuals simply for being homeless.
"Homelessness is not a crime, and the county jail system is not a solution," Tony said in a recent op-ed published in the Sun Sentinel newspaper.
Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County has taken a different approach by converting an abandoned hotel into a shelter for elderly homeless individuals. Additionally, the county may purchase 175 prefabricated tiny homes to help house the homeless population. In Palm Beach County, officials are considering overnight parking lots for those living in cars.
Still, local officials and homeless advocates remain skeptical about the law's focus on enforcement over support. Jacob Torner, vice president of the TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness, noted most homeless people can't afford rent and are often domestic violence victims, veterans, elderly or disabled.
"The impacts of this law are going to make it more difficult for these individuals to engage in the services that will get them off the streets because they'll become more fearful," Torner said.
As cities scramble to comply with the new regulations, the reality on the ground remains stark.
Erica Dorsett, a program administrator for the TaskForce who makes daily rounds checking on homeless individuals, said with limited resources there's only so much her group can do.
"We can get them to the door, do everything for them, but then our hands are tied," Dorsett said.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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