HB 1365 came into effect in Florida by which homeless people are prohibited from camping or sleeping on public property not designated for that purpose.
Under this approach Nearly 31,000 people who are estimated to be sleeping on the streets due to lack of economic solvency could be harmed if they dare to defy the authorities’ mandate.
It should be noted that The law does allow homeless people who have cars to sleep in them as long as their units are registered, insured and parked legally.
In addition, The new provision also empowers residents and business owners to sue counties that do not enforce the ban, but first a three-month grace period must have elapsed from the activation of HB 1365.
For their part, local governments can establish annual temporary camps if there is not enough space in the shelters.
However, such settlements must be safe and clean, so that residents will be prohibited from using drugs and will receive treatment for substance abuse, as well as mental health.
So far, the sanctions to which those who violate the law will be subject have not been announced.
In this regard, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis noted that this law represents “absolutely the right balance to strike.”
“We want to make sure we put public safety above everything else,” he said recently.
It should be noted that Several of the people who sleep on the street do not take drugs nor are they criminals, but even when they work, they do not have enough money to pay rent for a home.
During an interview given to the television channel CBS News MiamiRon Book, president of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, said that he is working together with the authorities to find an option to temporarily house those who require it.
“We are thinking about installing a navigation center, which is a step beyond what a normal shelter is. We hope to have it operational by the end of the year.
“We are also building an eight-unit building in Overtown and 190 individual men’s units near Krome,” he said.
Keep reading:
• Supreme Court rules that homeless people can be fined for sleeping on the street
• Waiting vote: Santa Monica does not prohibit sleeping in public places
• LA’s homeless: housing and therapy as prevention instead of destroying their camps
