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Dear Neighbor,
At the April 2nd Conference meeting, the Commission reviewed new legislation recently signed by the Governor of Florida that prohibits individuals from camping or sleeping overnight on any public property. The law, which goes into effect October 1st, 2024, prohibits counties and municipalities from allowing any person from regularly engaging in public camping or public sleeping on any public property, including streets, sidewalks, or in parks with or without a tent or temporary shelter.
The law defines public camping or sleeping as follows:
1. “Public camping or sleeping" means: a. Lodging or residing overnight in a temporary outdoor habitation used as a dwelling or living space and evidenced by the erection of a tent or other temporary shelter, the presence of bedding or pillows, or the storage of personal belongings; or b. Lodging or residing overnight in an outdoor space without a tent or other temporary shelter.
2. The term does not include: a. Lodging or residing overnight in a motor vehicle that is registered, insured, and located in a place where it may lawfully be. b. Camping for recreational purposes on property designated for such purposes.”
Local municipalities, including the City of Fort Lauderdale, will be responsible for enforcing the law and could be held liable for expenses and attorney fees that result from a successful civil suit brought by a county resident, business owner, or the Attorney General. The law also permits Counties to designate areas for public camping and sleeping if certain conditions are met, including implementing a safety plan and certifying that there is no available space at existing shelters for the homeless population of the County.
I believe the Commission must immediately begin to collaborate with Broward County and neighboring cities to address the legislation and develop a plan. This is a priority that must be addressed with urgency, as it is a quality-of-life issue for our residents.
Fort Lauderdale will never let happen what we are seeing in other major cities in the United States. I have requested that the Homeless Advisory Committee come to us with solutions that will complement this new law. With the help of our partners in the City and the County, we will continue to navigate this delicate issue and create solutions that work for our residents. Failure is not an option.
Please see the link below for a list of services offered for those experiencing homelessness.
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