Florida state legislature has passed a bill which states that a county or municipality may not authorize or permit any person to regularly engage in public camping or public sleeping on any public property, public building or public right-of-way, unless such person has been lawfully issued a temporary permit authorizing such activity. The governor recently signed it into law.
With this law, a county or municipality may, in its discretion, designate property owned by the government to be used for a continuous period of no longer than 1 year for the purposes of public camping or public sleeping. A property designated for such purposes may not be located in an area where such designation would adversely and materially affect the property value or safety and security of other existing residential or commercial property. The new statue states that if a county or municipality designates property to be used for public camping or public sleeping, it must establish and maintain minimum standards and procedures related to the property that will:
• Ensure the safety and security of the designated property.
• Maintain sanitation, which includes providing access to clean and operable restrooms and running water.
• Coordinate with the homeless continuum of care providers such as New Beginnings of Central Florid to provide access.
• To offer behavioral health services, that include substance abuse and mental health treatment resources.
• Prohibit illegal drug use and alcohol use on the designated property and enforcing such.
• Allow a resident in the county or an owner of a business to bring a civil action against the county that violates this state statue.
The debate revolves around three questions: 1) Is this bill fair for the homeless who cannot locate appropriate services or affordable housing to be arrested? 2) Where does the county or municipality obtain the money to build these encampments and provide the required services? 3) Is this an overreach of the state politicians to interfere with local governments?
In concept, this statue has merit because we need to provide a safe and affordable living environment with appropriate services for the homeless. The challenges are: 1) Is it fair to criminalize a homeless person sleeping in the woods? 2) Will local government provide the funding for the necessary services to help those in need, whether they want to rebuild their life or need extensive mental health services and housing?
A report provided by Florida Housing Coalition reported that Lake County has a large homeless population, considering the size of the county. This report also states that the county needs over 12,000 affordable housing units and increased services for the local homeless. Thus, we have a problem that needs to be addressed.
Now that this statute is approved, I believe we need to invest more in affordable housing and services for the growing homeless population. Let me know your thoughts: SteveSmith@nbcfl.org. Even though we have been serving the local homeless for over 17 years, I have mixed feelings of this new law.
Steve Smith is a cofounder of New Beginnings of Central Florida, a 501(c)(3) not-for-Profit ministry based in Clermont.
Guest columns are the opinion of the writer, not necessarily that of the Triangle News Leader.
