PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed HB 1635, which bans homeless people from sleeping in public spaces.
What You Need To Know
- Pasco County has a growing population of homeless; the current count is more than 420 people
- HB 1635 bans homeless from sleeping in public places unless they have a permit
- Some homeless advocates worry this could have a negative impact
It will affect locations like Pasco County, where homelessness is a growing problem. The current count is around 420 people who live without permanent housing in the county.
One area dealing with a high number is Hudson, where a lot of wooded areas have encampments.
Organizations like The Homeless Coalition of Pasco County, which reaches out to homeless and helps to get them services, will soon let them know about the new law. Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Watts says they want to make sure those people aren’t turned into criminals.
“Our ultimate goal is to continue to advocate for the population in which we serve. We want to avoid criminalization that could affect our population,” Watts said.
Watts also says that the coalition is working closely with Pasco County, which recently approved funding for an emergency shelter.
“Our concerns are that some of our individuals could potentially be arrested for trespassing on properties and that we won’t have enough time to put emergency shelters and services in place,” Watts said.
The new law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
