When Gov. Ron DeSantis needed a location for a signing ceremony for a bill banning homeless people from sleeping in public, he chose Miami Beach. The Florida Republican praised Miami Beach’s similar prohibition on public sleeping, calling it a compassionate measure that would also keep the streets “clean” and “safe.”
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has boasted about the city’s approach to homelessness, claiming there are only about 600 unsheltered people in Miami due to their “different approach” to the issue. While there are homeless individuals in downtown areas and near tourist spots, it is not as prevalent as in other cities like Washington, D.C., or Portland, Oregon, where tent camps are common.
Miami’s local authorities have implemented measures to make life tougher for people living on the streets, including clearing tent camps and enacting ordinances. Despite these efforts, Miami has managed to avoid large-scale chronic homelessness, with Ron Book, the chair of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, even claiming that homelessness could be eradicated in the county in under two years.
Book points to the significant decrease in unsheltered individuals in Miami-Dade County over the years, from over 8,000 in the early 1990s to 1,032 in the most recent headcount. This is in stark contrast to cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, where homelessness numbers are much higher despite significant funding efforts.
The issue of homelessness in the U.S. has become increasingly challenging, with rising rents, tight housing markets, and the end of pandemic-era financial relief contributing to record-high homelessness numbers. Despite billions of dollars being spent on initiatives to address homelessness, progress has been slow, leading to a surge in the homeless population.
In response, state legislatures and city councils have passed bills to crack down on homelessness, prompting debates on how to effectively address the issue without resorting to punitive measures or government-run camps. The Supreme Court’s consideration of whether cities can ban homeless people from sleeping in public without available shelter space could have significant implications for the civil rights of homeless individuals.
While some argue for a more compassionate and flexible approach to homelessness policy, others advocate for stricter measures to address the issue. Miami’s success in reducing homelessness has been attributed to a variety of aid, a friendly housing market, and rules against police harassment, although challenges remain as political attitudes shift.
The Housing-Industrial Complex
The Cicero Institute, founded by Joe Lonsdale, has been at the forefront of drafting model legislation for statehouses in response to the political backlash against homelessness, particularly in cities like San Francisco. The institute’s work reflects the ongoing debate on how to effectively address homelessness while balancing compassion and practicality.
The objective is to dismantle the current limitations on how homeless grant funding is utilized nationwide and broaden the scope of how municipal governments can address homelessness. This effort has resulted in the passage of similar bills in Texas, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, and Florida.
The think tank is against what it refers to as the “homeless-industrial complex” and particularly criticizes the dominant “Housing First” approach in federal and state responses to homelessness.
Housing First focuses on placing individuals in permanent supportive housing without requirements related to sobriety, treatment, employment, or other factors. This approach differs from traditional homeless services that typically involve transitioning individuals from shelters to treatment before securing permanent housing. The belief is that stable housing is key to helping homeless individuals get back on their feet, leading to better outcomes in other areas.
While Housing First gained support during the George W. Bush administration and has been prioritized in federal grants since 2009, there are criticisms regarding its effectiveness. Some argue that the focus on permanent supportive housing has led to a decline in other shelter options, such as transitional housing.
The Cicero Institute, along with other organizations, challenges the Housing First model and advocates for a more multifaceted approach to homelessness. They also propose measures to increase criminal penalties related to homelessness, such as creating drug-free zones around homeless services.
Additionally, the Cicero Institute influenced the implementation of a statewide public camping ban in Florida, which includes provisions for constructing government-run encampments for homeless individuals when shelters are full. This approach has faced criticism from homeless advocacy groups.
Overall, while there are differing opinions on how to address homelessness, there is a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive solutions and increased government attention to the issue. According to Martha Are, executive director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, cities and counties may face civil-rights lawsuits if they enforce laws against homeless individuals without available shelter space. The laws often rely on police enforcement, which can lead to harassment and legal challenges. A pending Supreme Court case could impact how cities address homelessness, with some arguing for more compassionate solutions rather than punitive measures. Miami has seen success in reducing homelessness by opening new shelters, offering a potential model for other cities to follow. The county financed a significant portion of its homeless services by imposing a 1 percent tax on restaurant bills. The trust also utilized outreach teams to stay in touch with individuals living on the streets. These teams, comprised of medical professionals, conducted welfare checks on homeless individuals 365 days a year.
The initiative was launched in 2014 by Lazaro Trueba, a retired administrator of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, who observed that individuals with mental health issues were being detained by the police, briefly hospitalized in psychiatric facilities, and then released back onto the streets without their medications taking full effect. Other local nonprofits collaborating with the trust also operated street teams.
Throughout the 2010s, more low-income and supportive housing projects were completed, providing additional space for individuals to transition into permanent housing. The trust also worked on identifying individuals at risk of homelessness due to eviction or foreclosure, allowing for early intervention to prevent homelessness.
Although the number of homeless individuals in Miami-Dade County has remained relatively constant since 2015, efforts to reduce homelessness have been more successful compared to other metropolitan areas. Moving forward, the trust aims to eradicate homelessness by expanding the county’s permanent supportive housing and affordable rental options.
To achieve this goal, the trust plans to acquire additional housing units by repurposing existing structures like old hotels and government buildings. Initiatives such as converting a La Quinta hotel into affordable rental units for seniors and veterans are in progress. The trust’s operating budget of approximately $90 million, with a significant portion allocated to permanent housing, is supplemented by proposed restaurant taxes to fund additional housing projects.
However, opposition from local politicians and residents has hindered progress in establishing affordable housing options. NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) sentiments have stalled projects like the Cutler Bay initiative, highlighting the challenges of addressing homelessness in the face of community resistance.
To address these obstacles and effectively combat homelessness, localities should consider liberalizing housing policies, expanding aid and services, and evaluating program performance to optimize resources. By prioritizing abundant and affordable housing and respecting the rights of homeless individuals, communities can work towards sustainable solutions to homelessness. Please rewrite this sentence.
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