JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council will consider a bill at its meeting Tuesday that will increase bed space at three of the city's shelters.
The bill is being introduced to comply with a new state law that went into effect on Oct. 1 that prevents homeless individuals from sleeping in public and camping on public property or on public rights-of-way.
The bill brought forth by former Council President Ron Salem and current Council President Randy White, intends to address the "acute need for additional homeless shelter capacity" by providing "an additional 110 beds in total."
According to the bill's text, over $1,333,728 million would be appropriated from the 'Homeless Initiatives Special Revenue Fund' to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, in order for the agency to provide the following amounts to the three listed shelters:
- Trinity Rescue Mission - $634,421.60 (would be used to add 44 beds)
- City Rescue Mission - 288,970.40 (would be used to add 26 beds)
- Salvation Army - 410,336 (would be used to add 40 beds)
The bill further states that starting Jan. 1, 2025, the state law on banning public sleeping and camping (HB 1365) will allow city residents, business owners and the attorney general to file injunction lawsuits against the city for "authorizing or allowing regular public camping and sleeping that is not otherwise permitted under the statute."
The agenda for city council's Tuesday meeting shows that the bill will be discussed at the very end of the meeting; the meeting starts at 5 p.m.
