DeSantis signs ban on Florida homeless sleeping in public places
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., has signed legislation banning those experiencing homelessness from sleeping in public spaces without a permit. The law, which takes effect on Oct. 1, reportedly makes it illegal for cities and counties to permit people to sleep on public property without a lawful permit.
The legislation also promises greater access to services for substance abuse and mental health issues for the homeless population.
Under the new law, the state will oversee the setup of designated areas for homeless individuals to camp for up to a year, with strict regulations on alcohol and drug use, as well as sanitation and security provisions.
While sponsors acknowledge that the legislation won’t eliminate homelessness, they highlight its importance in protecting public spaces and ensuring necessary services for those in need.
Critics argue that the law may hide homelessness rather than address its root causes. However, DeSantis reaffirmed the law’s commitment to providing necessary services for homeless individuals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the quality of life for Florida residents.
Starting in January of next year, residents, business owners and the state attorney general will be able to file lawsuits against local governments that allow illegal sleeping or camping on public property.
Tenderloin residents sue San Francisco leaders for better living conditions
Residents and business owners in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District have initiated legal action against the city for better living conditions. Rampant drug use and chronic homelessness have plagued the district for years, and now some residents have banded together to file a federal lawsuit against city leaders.
Representing the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit, attorney Matthew Davis contends that San Francisco city leaders have neglected the district’s pervasive issues of drug use and chronic homelessness, resulting in unsafe and inaccessible streets. Davis emphasized that his clients live in fear due to the conditions outside their residences.
The lawsuit alleges that despite their tax contributions, Tenderloin residents find themselves effectively confined within their homes, deprived of basic city services. Rather than seeking monetary compensation, the complaint demands proactive measures from officials to clear sidewalks of drug dealers, fentanyl users and tent encampments.
In response, the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office asserts its commitment to reviewing the complaint, while heightened police patrols in the area offer some hope.
San Francisco’s Tenderloin District has long been a focal point for city leaders’ concerns, with Mayor London Breed declaring an emergency in the area and promising crackdowns on drug-related issues. However, challenges persist, including a court injunction stemming from a 2022 lawsuit filed by homeless individuals and their advocates. This injunction restricts the city’s ability to dismantle encampments unless suitable indoor shelter is provided.
Tent encampments offer homeless quick help but cost hamstrung cities millions
A proposed solution to the escalating issue of homelessness, known as “Safe Sleep Villages,” is garnering attention nationwide. Initially introduced in San Francisco in 2021, these tent encampments have sprung up in cities across the U.S., offering tents, toilets and showers to those in need. Despite their intended purpose as a swift remedy, concerns are mounting as the cost per tent at these sites surpasses that of traditional brick-and-mortar shelters.
“Safe Sleep Villages” advocates emphasize the immediate assistance these shelters provide. Kirkpatrick Tyler, chief of government and community affairs for Urban Alchemy, highlighted the significance of Safe Sleep Villages in allowing individuals to stay connected to a familiar environment that is service-rich, safe and supported. These interventions are praised for their speed and lack of bureaucratic hurdles, according to Tyler.
Amidst these discussions, the Supreme Court is deliberating on a case that could shape how cities respond to uncontrolled tent encampments recognized as hazardous to both residents and communities.
In the case of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, the central question before the justices revolves around whether enforcing laws on camping in public areas constitutes ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ under the Eighth Amendment. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals asserts that such enforcement is indeed unconstitutional, arguing that officials lack the authority to jail or fine homeless individuals for sleeping outdoors.
Officials from western cities covered by the 9th Circuit expressed frustration, claiming that the ruling restricts their ability to address the issue effectively. California city leaders underscored the challenges in safeguarding the health and safety of their constituents.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, welcomed a Supreme Court ruling on Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, hoping to end delays caused by lawsuits that impede efforts to clear encampments and provide services to those in need.
California, home to 28% of the nation’s total homeless population, has allocated a $750 million grant, known as the Encampment Resolution Fund, to clear uncontrolled encampments and secure long-term housing for individuals.
Newsom emphasized that the approach goes beyond eviction, aiming to resolve underlying conditions. The date for the justices to hear the Grants Pass case remains undetermined.
An earlier version of this video report incorrectly identified the Supreme Court case Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson as Johnson v. Grants Pass, Oregon. SAN has updated the video with the correct case name and regrets the error.
US homelessness hits 15-year high; California drives the surge
In the United States, homelessness has reached its highest levels in 15 years. A mere four states are accountable for over 50% of the homeless population.
California takes the lead, with 28% of the nation’s estimated 653,000 homeless individuals, as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The surge in homelessness coincides with the conclusion of pandemic-era programs, such as rental assistance and the temporary suspension of evictions, coupled with soaring rental prices that many individuals can no longer afford.
AP Images
Notably, California not only harbors the largest homeless population but also claims the highest proportion of individuals living on the streets.
Two-thirds of the homeless population in California live outdoors in cars, tents, or makeshift shelters, constituting 49% of all individuals on the streets in the U.S. In contrast, approximately 5% of New York’s homeless population resides on the streets.
Despite California’s significant investments in emergency rental assistance, housing vouchers, and an overall increase in available beds, the number of people living on the streets continues to grow.
AP Images
Sleeping on the streets poses considerable safety concerns, as highlighted by individuals like Miguel Maldonado and Sylvester Floyd in Los Angeles, who shared their experiences of vulnerability and hardship.
“I couldn’t sleep, man,” Maldonando said. “I couldn’t sleep in the street. One eye open and the other one closed, like watching your back and stuff. People rob you or beat you up and maybe kill you and stuff like that and hurt you.”
“We have to say to America, if they really want to solve things like homelessness, poor education, they have to recognize and admit that the problem exists,” Fudge said.
HUD is channeling significant funds into multifamily housing and senior housing to combat the crisis.
Secretary Fudge stressed that with direct engagement with unhoused individuals and substantial support, the country can eventually address homelessness effectively.
San Francisco cleans streets, moves homeless as it prepares for APEC Summit
San Francisco is preparing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ conference (APEC) by cleaning streets, increasing local security, and installing fences around Moscone Center. Streets once occupied by homeless encampments are now cleaned and gated, with some featuring planter boxes adorned with wildflowers.
NEW – Newsom on Xi's visit: "I know folks say, 'Oh, they're just cleaning up this place because all these fancy leaders are coming into town.' That's true because it's true."pic.twitter.com/qxp8UXZUuW
The summit meetings of the 21-member APEC forum are scheduled for the week of Nov. 11-17. Police anticipate multiple protests during the APEC week, reaching a peak on Wednesday with the first meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping since last year’s G-20 conference.
On Sunday, Nov. 12, protesters gathered at the plaza in front of San Francisco’s ferry building, displaying banners and posters opposing the forum, advocating for economic and environmental change, and waving Palestinian flags.
For Xi visit San Francisco cleared our homeless and put about 100 new planters.
Marty Brewer, a protestor, stated his presence was to urge leaders to address the climate crisis. Others expressed that the money spent on hosting world leaders could have been better utilized for the community.
The U.S. Secret Service designated the summit a National Special Security Event (NSSE), entrusting the Secret Service with leading all security operations related to the summit. The federal agency, in collaboration with the city’s police force and other entities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has been conducting security drills for months, according to Jeremy Brown, assistant special agent in charge with the Secret Service and coordinator for the summit.
Biden pushes for cities to convert vacant offices into affordable housing
Currently, more than 20% of all office space in the U.S. is vacant, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had companies adopt full-time work-from-home or hybrid policies for their employees. But a new federal initiative, announced by President Biden, seeks to turn the empty real estate into affordable housing.
“Now, New York, of course, is the best city to live and work, so it is no surprise that people keep flocking here, but we simply do not have enough homes for them. But sometimes one problem can help solve another,” said Maria Torres-Springer, New York’s deputy mayor for Housing and Economic Development. “So, we have empty offices, not enough homes. Why don’t we turn outdated offices into apartments?”
Torres-Springer said regulations built up over decades have made it impractical and infeasible to turn commercial space into residential space in New York City.
The city is taking steps to ease those regulations. Still, city officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, said they need help from lawmakers in Albany, who Mayor Adams said failed to take critical action needed to facilitate the conversions in the last legislative session.
Now, the federal government has entered the conversation, announcing on Friday, Oct. 27, new actions to support converting commercial space into affordable housing across the country through financial backing, technical assistance, and the sale of government-owned properties.
The initiative especially encourages the conversion of commercial space near public transportation hubs, which the Biden administration said will help reduce greenhouse emissions in the long run.
Funding for both new housing and office conversions near transit will be made available through the Department of Transportation. According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, more than $35 billion will be available for loans.
The White House added that it is releasing a guidebook with 20 government programs across six agencies to help support conversions by helping builders secure low-interest loans and loan guarantees, grants and tax incentives.
Adams announced Monday, Oct. 16, that he is limiting shelter stays for migrant families with children to 60 days, tightening rules as the city’s housing system remains overwhelmed by a large influx of asylum seekers over the past year. Source: AP Images.
The new rules require asylum-seekers who reach the shelter time limit to leave their current shelter and reapply for admittance. This move comes as the city grapples with over 126,000 asylum-seekers in the past year.
“The unhoused population has exploded with the addition of the new arrivals,” Juan De La Cruz, director of the Coalition for the Homeless, NYC, said. “For example, here at St Bartholomew’s Church, where we start serving, we’re seeing on average, anywhere from 250 to 275 people, more or less regularly. Once the new arrivals started coming, our numbers got up over 400 people.”
In recent weeks, the city has been receiving an astonishing 600 new arrivals daily. To address this unprecedented challenge, the city has taken significant steps, including opening 61 new shelter sites and allocating over $1 billion.
The Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan, closed for three years, then reopened to house an expected surge of asylum-seekers, mirroring the conversion of other New York City hotels into emergency shelters.
Migrants sit in a queue outside of The Roosevelt Hotel, which is being used by the city as temporary housing, Monday, July 31, 2023, in New York. Source: AP Images.
At a breaking point
“New York City is full,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “We are past our breaking point. New York’s compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not. Our patterns at the state and federal levels know this. We continue to face impossible decisions about allocating our resources, and that means a lose-lose for our most vulnerable New Yorkers, as well as those seeking asylum.”
Preliminary results indicate that the new policy is having the desired effect. City officials revealed that less than half of the migrants required to reapply for housing following the 60-day limit have returned to the city’s shelter system.
Measures taken
However, these measures, especially those focused on families with children, may test the city’s legal obligations regarding shelter.
Mayor Adams is actively seeking to suspend a unique legal agreement that mandates the city to provide emergency housing to single adults.
New York’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro, far left, Health and Hospital Vice President Dr. Ted Long, second from left, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom, second from right, and Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol, far right, hold a news briefing in the sleeping area of the city’s latest temporary shelter on Randalls Island, Oct. 18, 2022, in New York. Source: AP Images.
“All of these strategies share the same goal,” Anne Williams-Isom, deputy mayor of Health and Human Services, NYC, said. “Helping people connect to work, move out of shelters, and establish their own lives as quickly as possible.”
Mayor Adams has said that many asylum-seekers set out for New York in the belief they would receive jobs and rooms in “five-star hotels” upon arrival, led astray by misinformation spread by smugglers and on social media.
As we continue to respond to this ongoing humanitarian crisis and manage this unprecedented surge, we must continue to implement new strategies to relieve the pressure on our shelter system.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom.
Additionally, the city announced that a 1,300-acre facility will soon open to accommodate around 500 more families with children seeking asylum.
Wisconsin Supreme Court to decide if Catholic charity is actually religious
During the week of Sept. 10, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments and decide if the Catholic Charities Bureau will have to continue paying into the state’s unemployment services. The organization, a part of the Diocese of Superior, provides services to help the disabled, the elderly and the poor — regardless of their faith.
According to Wisconsin state law, the state provides financial assistance to people who have lost their job through no fault of their own. Certain nonprofits can opt out of paying into the state’s unemployment system — including those operated for religious purposes.
In February of this year, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals sided with the state’s Labor and Industry Review Commission and ruled that CCB’s charitable organization does not provide services that are primarily religious in nature. Therefore, CCB had to keep paying into the state’s unemployment system instead of the Catholic Church’s compensation program.
Attorneys for CCB argue that the Diocese of Superior created and continues to operate the organization and is carrying out its religious mission by offering health care, housing, childcare services and employment opportunities for individuals and families in need, regardless of their religious affiliation.
San Francisco, Grants Pass appeal court bans on clearing, ticketing homeless people
Two West Coast cities, San Francisco and Grants Pass, Oregon, have appealed to the courts looking for relief from the homelessness crisis. Each city has been banned from taking certain steps to address homelessness.
In December 2022, a federal judge banned the city of San Francisco from clearing homeless encampments until there are more shelter beds available than there are homeless people in the city. Lawyers for the city argued against the ban in court on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu said because of the ban, homeless people are refusing offers of shelter more often. He added it would cost at least $1.5 billion to house every homeless person in the city.
More than 200 people, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, showed up at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday. They urged the court to vacate the ban.
“We are compassionate, we are supportive, we continue to help people, but this is not the way,” Mayor Breed said. “‘Anything goes in San Francisco’ is not the way.”
Meanwhile, the city of Grants Pass, Oregon asked the Supreme Court to decide whether local governments can ticket homeless people for sleeping on public property, or whether that would be considered cruel and unusual punishment under the Constitution.
According to court records and USA Today, the city of 38,000 has anywhere from 50 to 600 homeless people in it. City officials said a ban on giving out tickets has created a dire situation within and around encampments, making it tough for officials to do things like deal with crime and fires in the city.
The Supreme Court will likely decide whether to hear the case either late in 2023 or early in 2024.
The question from cities to court of whether homelessness can be punished under laws designed to regulate public camping and sleeping outside has grown in prominence with homelessness in the United States on the rise since 2018. In 2019, the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a 9th Circuit ruling that said homeless people could not face criminal prosecution for sleeping outside.
Volunteer acquitted for feeding homeless sues Houston for 1st Amdt violations
66-year-old Phillip Picone, a volunteer with the group Food Not Bombs, was found not guilty of breaking the law for feeding unhoused people.
Feeding more than five people outdoors is a violation of a city ordinance. Critics argue the ordinance infringes on freedom of expression and religion, as religious groups often give food to vulnerable residents.
For decades, volunteers from Food Not Bombs have been providing meals four nights a week outside the Houston Public Library without incident, as stated by Picone’s attorney. However, the city posted a notice at the site warning police would start issuing citations. In March, Picone received a criminal citation for feeding the homeless.
Picone’s trial was the first held after 47 tickets were given to Food Not Bombs volunteers. The jury unanimously found him not guilty. Now, he has filed a federal civil rights case against Houston, challenging the controversial law as “unconstitutional.”
