Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1365 into law in March, which forbids homeless people from setting up camp in Florida’s public parks, sidewalks, and local streets.
The newly enacted legislation, which takes effect on Tuesday, also requires the Florida Department of Children and Families to approve campgrounds that offer access to mental health and drug abuse treatment facilities as well as bathrooms.
The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Dean Trantalis, stated on Sunday’s episode of This Week In South Florida that the state has not given local governments any money to put the law into effect.
He claimed that in order to accommodate the homeless, the city “will have to be stricter” and utilize public dollars to purchase makeshift emergency shelters constructed out of construction pallets.
“It’s mobile and we can move it to different parts of wherever the locations may be,” Trantalis stated. “We talked about putting it on some city property.”
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner stated that his city can pay for an additional 89 beds per day if needed during this week in South Florida. He praised the new state law as progressive, pointing out that local officials already had a comparable rule that he supported.
Additionally, the city has a homeless outreach facility with a staff that prides itself on using “an assessment-driven” methodology. Situated on 17 Street between Convention Center Drive and Merdian Avenue, the center is adjacent to City Hall.
“People could literally just walk in,” Meiner stated.
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Rehabilitative efforts are financed by the outreach center. One of the police officers at the Miami Beach Police Department, according to Meiner, is transparent about having been homeless for a long time.
He asserted that in spite of his example, some homeless people choose to go to jail rather than accept assistance.
“It’s tough love, but ultimately the public spaces are for the public and we are going to keep people safe,” Meiner stated.
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