A new law that took effect on Tuesday is set to impact thousands of people experiencing homelessness across Florida. House Bill 1365 now makes it illegal to camp on streets, sidewalks, and in parks. Cities and counties are required to offer temporary shelter, where those affected will also receive drug and mental health treatment.
Many people living on the streets of Miami shared their thoughts on the new law. Mildred Forti, 43, and her husband, Miguel Santiago, have been homeless for several months. “We are out here because we can’t afford a place to live,” Forti said. “This new law just makes things harder for us. Now we’ll have to keep moving and find another place to stay.”
Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, explained that anyone camping in public spaces will be violating the law. He assured the public that efforts are underway to provide more housing and shelter options, including a “navigation center” that is expected to open by the end of the year. The center will be a step below traditional shelters but will still offer vital support to people in need.
Book also highlighted plans to house over 140 people in rental units at the La Quinta Hotel, which will be converted into low-income housing for seniors by the end of the year. In addition, an 8-unit building in Overtown and 190 single-occupancy units near Krome are under construction, while 80 more shelter beds will be available within 30 days.
Currently, about 1,033 people are living on the streets in Miami-Dade County, with 2,760 staying in shelters. In Fort Lauderdale, around 750 people are homeless. Broward County and Fort Lauderdale are considering using pallet homes as a temporary housing solution, and Fort Lauderdale is expanding its outreach to help guide homeless individuals into permanent housing.
While the law aims to offer support, one key question remains: how will law enforcement handle its enforcement? Miami-Dade police are waiting for legal guidance, while Miami police plan to encourage people to use shelters and available resources. Fort Lauderdale police have formed a homeless outreach team to connect people with services. However, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony made it clear that homelessness should not be treated as a crime, stating, “Homelessness is not a crime, and BSO is not the solution.”
The new law brings both challenges and opportunities, but officials remain committed to finding long-term solutions for those in need.
