A new Florida law would ban homeless people from sleeping in public. Some say it will keep the streets safe, others say it will simply keep the problem out of the public eye. So tonight on 7Investigates, Karen Hensel asked those affected by the changes.
For some South Floridians, this is home, from the beaches to the parks to the sidewalks and even under the bridges.
But new laws that take effect in October will ban camping and sleeping in public places, potentially forcing them to move.
Haika: “I think it’s a terrible law. I think it’s a very inhuman act.”
State law puts the onus on counties to set up designated areas for people to live if shelters are full. Encampments must include restrooms, security, and access to mental health and substance abuse services.
Governor Ron DeSantis: “It will help keep Florida’s streets clean and safe.”
State Sen. Shevrin Jones: “This bill does not and will not address the more pressing root causes of homelessness.”
Politicians have also expressed their opinions.
But we wanted to talk to those most affected. So we hit the streets of South Florida.
Iris: “I was born in Cuba.”
Iris is 74 years old and has been homeless for three years.
Karen: “Is this all you have in this world?”
Iris: Yes, that’s it.
Small and soft-spoken, she lives on this stretch of sidewalk near Miami Police Headquarters.
Karen: “Do you think it’s safe here?”
Iris: “Yes, yes.”
Karen: “If you feel safe here, do you feel safe in one of the new homeless camps where all the homeless will be living together?”
Iris: “At the moment, I don’t know, because I can’t be around a lot of people.”
Across from Iris is Bernard. The 72-year-old said he is a military veteran and former firefighter.
Bernard: “I used to like Miami, but…it’s just that.”
Karen: “If a homeless camp offered services to help you find housing, would you take them?”
Bernard: “I was trying to get off the street and they didn’t want me to do it.”
Karen: “What do you mean they don’t want you?”
Bernard: “Well, they keep dragging it slowly. You know, they put you off and tell you to come back tomorrow.”
Further south, near the Kendall area, a viewer sent us this video of a makeshift structure under a bridge. I heard that 20 people lived here. The camp was then evacuated.
In Wynwood, two women were taking photos without realizing that a woman was taking shelter nearby.
Heading north to Broward, this is what we saw early in the morning. A tent was set up on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
What was even more difficult to see was that the man was sleeping on the sidewalk next to his wheelchair and the woman was sleeping right next to the road.
Jeff: “I’ve been homeless for a little over two years.”
We met Jeff, Bryson, Haika, and Stephen, who live near the bus terminal on Broward Boulevard. We also asked for their thoughts on the new law.
Jeff: “We all know about this by word of mouth, right? I mean, it’s pretty widely known.”
Bryson: “There are two different types of homeless people. There’s the (expletive) kind, but there are a lot of good homeless people here, and we have struggles in life just like everyone else. I think it’s a real (expletive) rant trying to get us off public property.”
Haika: “I know politicians hate homelessness, but this isn’t going to end homelessness. I can’t imagine the police didn’t throw a fit when they heard that. They told us all I don’t think they can force it, because they would have a very hard time dealing with it.”
Stephen: “It’s not a crime. It’s just a shame that I’m homeless.”
Karen: “Stephen and his friends are not alone. Homelessness is at record levels across the country.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently scheduled to rule on the Oregon case.
At issue is whether it is unconstitutional to punish people who sleep outdoors when there is not enough shelter. It’s unclear what specific impact the ruling will have on Florida’s new law.
Karen Hensel, 7News.
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