Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Every day, including holidays, LifeNet4Families actively assists the homeless community in Broward County, serving nearly 400 meals daily from their local pantry. In the shadows of these essential services, a new state law looms, set to ban sleeping on public property come October 1. The legislation, known as HB 1365, has sparked significant concern among local residents and advocates.
Ward Mosely, 65, who frequents LifeNet4Families for support, expressed his resilience in light of the upcoming changes. “We gotta do what we gotta do. We gotta sleep where we gotta sleep,” Mosely stated, highlighting the dire circumstances some face.
Mark Adler, vice president of LifeNet for Families, voiced his apprehension. “Criminalizing homelessness is a misguided attempt to address a complex issue,” Adler remarked, worried about the bill’s implications.
The law prohibits people from sleeping in public areas such as streets, sidewalks, and parks but allows local governments to designate specific zones for this purpose. Critics, including Will Raymond, a homeless engineer, argue that the law is unconstitutional and inhumane. “It’s akin to creating concentration camps,” Raymond commented, foreseeing increased arrests and repeated offenses due to the lack of viable housing alternatives.
At the All Saints Catholic Mission in Oakland Park, even those with jobs like Joe Ingroia struggle with affordability and see no benefits from this legislation. “You’re just gonna have people offending over and over because there is no option,” Ingroia observed, suggesting that rent control might be a more effective solution.
Father Bob Caudill, who runs the mission, hopes the law will bring better accountability from cities and counties by exposing the inadequacies in public support for the homeless.
Homelessness remains a pressing issue across South Florida, with almost 2,800 people in emergency shelters in Miami-Dade County and another 1,000 on the streets. In Broward, an estimated 1,624 people are homeless, though the actual number might be higher. Local cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill, and Pompano Beach report the highest counts.
The chief issue highlighted by advocates like Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, is the lack of sufficient housing. “Our shelters are bursting at the seams,” Book reported, emphasizing the need for permanent supportive housing rather than short-term solutions.
Despite these challenges, success stories from programs like Camillus House in Miami provide a glimmer of hope. Omayra Rivera, a former street dweller turned graduate of the Camillus House’s Transformative program, shared her experience. After receiving training and certifications through a partnership with Miami Dade College, Rivera is poised to start a new career in hotel management, offering her stability and an income far above minimum wage.
Rivera’s success is an example of what targeted assistance can achieve. “I’m going to get a hotel specialist management job, which starts at an incredible rate of $25 an hour,” she said, optimistic about her future. “It’s definitely a new life, new opportunities, it’s a blessing.”
The contrasting realities in Fort Lauderdale — from legislative challenges to personal victories — mirror the ongoing struggle and resilience within the community, underscoring the crucial need for comprehensive strategies to tackle homelessness effectively.