What is Florida’s ‘Homeless Law’? How new rules will impact homelessness population (2025)

Florida’s homeless are now banned from camping or sleeping on public propertyunder a new law,signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis back in March.

The new statute took effect on Tuesday, Oct. 2, with The Associated Press sharing it is one of the "strictest anti-homelessness measures in the nation."

“Florida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California,”DeSantis said ina news release from when he signed the bill.“The legislation I signed today upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet.”

Supporters say it is compassionate conservatism and puts efforts where they are needed. Critics say it creates forced internment camps with the goal of getting unhoused people out of sight. Here's what to know.

HB 1365: What is thenew homeless law in Florida?

What is Florida’s ‘Homeless Law’? How new rules will impact homelessness population (1)

Titled the "Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping" bill, HB 1365 prohibits Florida cities and counties from allowing people to sleep in public places. It also allows local governments to create homeless camps if shelters reach capacity.

Under HB 1365, it is stated:

  • Homeless individuals are prohibited from camping on city streets, sidewalks, and parks — and instead placed in temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement agencies.
  • The state of Florida has the enforcement tools needed to ensure local governments comply.
  • If a county designates public property to be used for public camping or sleeping, the county must establish and maintain minimum standards and procedures related to ensuring safety, security, sanitation, mental health and substance abuse services coordination.
  • Homeless shelters will require occupants to not use drugs.
  • Authorizes a resident of the county, owner of a business located in the county, or the Attorney General to bring a civil action to enjoin the county or municipality from authorizing public camping or sleeping without designating property for that use.

The bill would also provide what is known as "wraparound services," including mental health care, for the state's homeless population, according to DeSantis during the bill's signing. The governor said the bill "will help maintain and ensure that Florida streets are clean and that Florida streets are safe for our residents."

How is the Florida Department of Children and Families involved?

An initial news release says the state will direct the Department of Children and Families to authorize temporary campsites that do the following:

  • Maintain sanitation, including access to clean and operable restrooms and running water.
  • Provide access to substance abuse and mental health treatment resources through coordination with the regional managing entity.
  • Prohibit illegal substance use and alcohol use on the property and enforce this prohibition

How much money is Florida putting toward the new homeless law?

Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Sam Garrison, told the USA TODAY Network previously the state has allocated $30 million – $10 million more than the previous year – for what are known as "continuums of care" to prepare for the law. Continuums of care are the regional bodies coordinating housing and services for homeless people.

Have other states have passed similar laws to Florida's homeless law?

In 2021, theNational Homelessness Law Centerreleaseda national study on laws criminalizing homelessness. They found that almost every state, 48 in total, has implemented at least one law that prohibits or restricts the conduct of people experiencing homelessness, according to the study.

USA TODAY notes that 17 states had already criminalized camping in public places and noted that a camping ban "unnecessarily displaces a person experiencing homelessness to another public place, where they might find themselves at risk of subsequent enforcement."

Does Florida have a homeless problem?

What is Florida’s ‘Homeless Law’? How new rules will impact homelessness population (2)

TheFlorida Department of Healthnotes the states homeless population was estimated to be about 30,700 in 2023; however, that’s afraction of the homeless populationscompared to some other U.S. states.

According to the latest release of theAnnual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congressfrom the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the estimated number of Americans experiencing homelessness surged to about 653,000 in last year, the highest level on record since reporting began in 2007.

These are the 10 states with the most homeless people, according to the report in 2023:

  • California(181,399)
  • New York(103,200)
  • Florida(30,756)
  • Washington(28,036)
  • Texas(27,377)
  • Oregon(20,142)
  • Massachusetts(19,141)
  • Colorado(14,439)
  • Arizona(14,237)
  • Pennsylvania(12,556)

DeSantis said the law was Florida's way of preventing cities from looking like San Francisco, a city he has criticized for its "leftist policies" and for allowing parks and sidewalks "to be overwhelmed with tent cities and homeless encampments."

What are the leading causes of homelessness?

The National Alliance to End Homelessness pinpointed these five factors that can lead to homelessness in America:

  • Housing: More than at any other time, there is a lack of housing that low income people can afford. Without housing options, people face eviction, instability and homelessness.
  • Income: Low income households often do not earn enough to pay for food, clothing, transportation and a place they can call home.
  • Health: Health and homelessness are inextricably linked. Health problems can cause a person’s homelessness as well as be exacerbated by the experience. Housing is key to addressing the health needs of people experiencing homelessness.
  • Domestic violence: Many survivors of domestic violence become homeless when leaving an abusive relationship.
  • Racial inequality: Most minority groups in the United States experience homelessness at higher rates than Whites, and therefore make up a disproportionate share of the homeless population.

Contributing:Ana Goñi-LessanandThao Nguyen, USA TODAY Network

What is Florida’s ‘Homeless Law’? How new rules will impact homelessness population (2025)

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