Florida’s Public Sleeping Ban Forces Homeless to Move, Complicating Local Support Efforts

Since the enactment of Florida House Bill 1365 in October 2024, which prohibits sleeping or camping in public spaces, many individuals experiencing homelessness have been forced to move constantly.

Holly, a volunteer who connects with people experiencing homelessness every Tuesday, described the extensive support her organization offers. Basic needs like phone charging, laundry, showers, fresh clothes, and warm meals are provided, along with haircuts through a partnership with a local barber school.

“We also have onsite nursing staff to help with foot care,” Holly said. “Many are on their feet all day, and poor foot health can make them immobile.”

The organization also assists clients with navigating food stamps and other social services, helping those who have lost contact with the system regain essential support.

The law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in March 2024, prohibits sleeping or camping in public areas such as parks and sidewalks. While it was intended to manage public spaces, critics argue it criminalizes homelessness without addressing root causes.

Holly has observed a sharp decline in the number of people she sees during outreach, from around 15 before the law to only three now.

“They’ve been cleared out,” she said. “They’re traveling around trying to find somewhere safe to just sit and breathe. It’s making it harder and harder.”

The Sharing Center in Seminole County reports shelters are at full capacity, limiting alternatives for those displaced by the ban. “The ongoing enforcement of this law is pushing people into a cycle of displacement, making stable shelter and care harder to access,” said Keisha Thomas.

Data from the 2024 Florida Homelessness Count shows about 32,000 people statewide experience homelessness nightly, with Central Florida bearing a significant share. Experts warn that laws criminalizing homelessness without expanding affordable housing and support services risk worsening the crisis.

Nonprofits like Matthew’s Hope Ministries stress that without more resources for housing, healthcare, and mental health services, enforcement of this law continues to hinder efforts to help the homeless population effectively.