JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On October 1, 2024 House Bill 1365 passed, making it illegal to sleep in public spaces.
Since HB 1365 passed, Jacksonville leaders have been working towards getting homeless individuals off the street and into shelters.
Jacksonville City Council will soon vote on a bill that would address the need for additional homeless shelter space.
The bill was introduced by City Councilman Ron Salem.
“I think the steps in the bill that will be in committee next week is a strong effort to enforce 1365. I think it can be enforced without the beds, but I think the beds provide a compassionate way of doing it,” Salem said.
More than $1.3 million would be appropriated from the Homeless Initiatives Special Revenue Fund to the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, to provide a total of 110 beds to three homeless shelters.
Trinity Rescue Mission would get $634,421.60 for 44 beds. City Rescue Mission would receive $288,970.40 to add 26 beds. And the Salvation Army would get $410,336 to add 40 beds.
Paul Stasi, the Executive Director of City Rescue Mission tells First Coast News their women's shelter on McDuff Avenue South, and their men's shelter in Downtown on State Street are completely at capacity.
“We’re full. We’re full pretty much every night. Men, women, and families,” Stasi said.
The organization, which has been providing food, clothing and shelter to people experiencing homelessness since 1946, currently has 76 beds at its women’s shelter. The men’s shelter has 24, plus an additional 124 in a residential recovery program at the downtown location.
However, soon, more space could be created at the men’s shelter if the bill before the city council passes.
“We are able to make some adjustments to our Downtown location and move some of our residential recovery beds to the McDuff campus, which will then open up those 26 beds for shelter. It will be emergency overnight care,” Stasi said.
The proposal calls for City Rescue Mission to receive about $288,970.40 to add an additional 26 beds.
This funding would also go towards new mattresses, shelter care and any construction work needing to be done.
“All we need to do is create a Resident Assistant (RA) station in our dormitory so we have around the clock staff coverage in the new dorm area where those new beds would be,” said Stasi.
With colder days ahead, Stasi said he’s expecting the need for housing for those who are homeless to only increase.
He hopes the council’s bill passes so the much needed bed space can be provided.
“We’re able to offer that roof over the head and food and even a family atmosphere, and show God's love to people, and I think that’s the great thing we’re able to do on an everyday basis, 365 days a year,” he said.
“We want to do everything we can for our homeless population,” said Joe Carlucci, City Council member District 5. “We just need to take a hard look at what are the best practices, what is the best way to do it because we want our money to be used effectively not just widespread money spending for not a good return.”
This bill will be discussed next week amongst council members in a committee meeting, then a vote is expected in two weeks on November 26.