Letter to the Editor: After new bill, where will the unhoused go?

Dear Editor:

The article, “New law will affect local homeless” (Oct. 9, 2024), highlights a crucial issue that affects both the unhoused and the larger West Orange County community. House Bill 1365, which criminalizes sleeping in public spaces, has been presented to protect our neighborhoods, but the unintended consequences raise significant concerns for everyone, especially if we don’t address them thoughtfully.

The pressing question remains: Where will the unhoused go? The bill directs the Department of Children and Families to certify certain properties within counties and municipalities as temporary campsites when shelters are full, but it provides no clear answers about where these sites will be located. If encampments are no longer allowed in parks, on streets or in other public spaces, what guarantees are there that they won’t appear near small businesses or neighborhoods? There is some language in the bill that says the sites should not be near residential areas, but is that a guarantee? I don’t know. These are real concerns that must be addressed. The law’s vague language leaves us in limbo, wondering how this will impact our community.

Additionally, the strain on small municipalities complying with this law is significant. West Orange County, like many areas, may not have the resources to manage increased demands for campsites, mental health services and substance abuse treatment, especially when the funds allocated to individual counties and municipalities are likely to be spread too thin. 

Scott Billue, from Matthew’s Hope, aptly pointed out that many of the unhoused people in our community are not criminals. They are seniors whose pensions have been cut, young families priced out of the housing market and individuals with disabilities who have outlived their caregivers. Criminalizing their situation or forcing them to constantly move from one place to another only displaces the problem without addressing its root causes.

The solution requires a more compassionate, resource-driven and community-centered approach. Rather than relying on punitive measures, we need to prioritize expanding affordable housing, increasing mental health services and substance abuse support services, and fostering collaboration between state, county and local organizations such as Matthew’s Hope. 

Crucially, this process must include the voices of the people. The residents and business owners of West Orange County deserve a seat at the table when it comes to deciding how and where temporary campsites are placed. We, as a community, should have the right to participate in these discussions and be part of the solution, ensuring that any plans protect both the vulnerable populations and the integrity of our neighborhoods.

A proactive, community-driven approach that values input from all stakeholders — residents, business owners, local governments, nonprofits and the unhoused — is the only way to address this issue effectively. This is not just a state problem; it is a challenge that is affecting those in our community, West Orange County, and together we can create solutions that benefit everyone.

TYECHIA BROWN

WINTER GARDEN