By Redacción
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As the sun rose Tuesday morning, Robert Robinson slowly pulled himself off the sidewalk outside Fort Lauderdale’s bus depot.
It was where he had slept, unknowingly violating Florida’s latest law targeting homelessness.
On Tuesday, one of the toughest anti-homelessness laws in the nation went into effect in Florida, banning individuals from sleeping on sidewalks, in parks, on beaches, or in any public spaces. The new statute is part of an effort to force local governments to take action and move homeless individuals off the streets.
«Where are they going to put all these people?» Robinson, 61, asked, pointing to several others sleeping nearby. The former fence installer gathered what few belongings he had—some clothing, toothpaste, and a case of cat food he hoped to sell for $2—and loaded them onto a wheelchair he uses for mobility. “There aren’t enough bed spaces at the shelter.”
Under the law, local governments have until Jan. 1 to figure out their homelessness solutions. By then, residents, business owners, and even the state will be allowed to sue municipalities they believe are failing to address homelessness sufficiently. Local governments must adopt ordinances and implement programs to reduce homelessness or face potential legal consequences.
Florida officials estimate that the state has approximately 31,000 homeless individuals, although advocates say the true figure could be higher. Despite this number being far lower than those in California and New York, lawmakers in the Florida Legislature passed the new measure by a large margin, asserting that immediate action is necessary.
«People are tired of seeing parks and sidewalks taken over, of worrying about their kids, and of dealing with the trash and public urination,» said Republican state Sen. Jonathan Martin, the bill’s sponsor. «It’s our responsibility to deal with homelessness, and we cannot afford to wait any longer.»
Gov. Ron DeSantis echoed Martin’s sentiments, describing the law as striking «absolutely the right balance» and prioritizing public safety.
Yet, the new statute has local officials worried, particularly due to the potential for 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,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. «That’s money that won’t be available to actually solve the problem.»
The state has allocated $30 million to help cities and counties comply with the law, including funding for mental health services and substance abuse treatment for the homeless. However, many local officials say it will fall short. The largest county allocations are around $600,000, insufficient given the scale of need.
For counties lacking sufficient shelter capacity, the law permits establishing outdoor encampments where homeless individuals could reside for up to a year. These camps, particularly in larger counties, must include sanitation facilities and 24-hour security.
«We send our money up to Tallahassee, and they don’t send it back to help us,» Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss said.
In South Florida, cities and counties are scrambling to devise strategies to address homelessness that also shield them from potential lawsuits. Roughly 8,500 of Florida’s homeless reside across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Affordable housing is scarce, and the waitlists are long.
Broward County, for instance, currently has 1,650 people waiting for housing, a steep increase from 1,220 two years ago. Only a few of the 700 available shelter beds become vacant each day.
«Homelessness is not a crime, and the county jail system is not a solution,» Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony recently wrote in the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He pledged that his deputies would not arrest individuals solely for being homeless, nor would his jail accept anyone arrested by city police for homelessness alone.
In Miami-Dade, officials converted an abandoned hotel into a shelter for older homeless residents and are considering purchasing 175 prefabricated two-bedroom homes, each covering 450 square feet. Palm Beach County might designate overnight parking lots for people living in their vehicles, while Broward has recently allocated $750,000 to purchase prefabricated shelters.
Patrice Paldino, who directs Broward’s agency assisting the homeless, said the focus remains on finding homes or shelter for individuals, followed by providing counseling and services to help get their lives back on track. Regarding potential lawsuits, Paldino remarked, «Our goal is to continue providing outstanding services, regardless of the challenges.»
The TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness, a contracted group working in Broward, assists individuals in finding shelter, counseling, and other essential services. The organization’s name, using «fore» instead of «for,» symbolizes their leadership in combating homelessness.
Jacob Torner, vice president of programs at the TaskForce, said the new law disproportionately focuses on the minority of homeless individuals with substance abuse issues, ignoring the broader homeless population who cannot afford rent or are victims of domestic violence, veterans, seniors, or disabled individuals.
“The impacts of this law will make it harder for these individuals to access the services they need to get off the streets, as it will make them even more fearful,” Torner said.
On Tuesday, Erica Dorsett, the group’s program administrator, drove through Fort Lauderdale, visiting homeless hotspots to check on people the organization is aiding. She stopped to speak with a man outside a major hospital, his shoeless feet swollen and infected. When Dorsett asked why he hadn’t sought treatment, he replied that the hospital just shuttled him back outside.
Down the street, Dorsett encountered another man, sleeping on a park wall. Agitated upon being awakened, he requested water. She brought him two bottles and a cookie sandwich.
Dorsett said the lack of housing and shelter beds means her group is often limited in what they can do. “We can get them to the door, do everything for them, but then our hands are tied,” she said.
