City of Gainesville - File #: 140397.

• File #: 140397.
• Version: 1
• Name: Prohibiting Camping on Public Property and Sleeping in Public Right-of-Ways
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: In Committee
• File created: 10/7/2014
• In control: General Policy Committee
• On agenda: 3/19/2015
• Final action: 8/11/2016
• Title: Prohibiting Camping on Public Property and Sleeping in Public Right-of-Ways (B) This item involves a request for the City Commission to consider an ordinance to prohibit camping on public property and sleeping in public right-of-ways.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
3/19/2015	1	City Commission	Referred	Pass

Title
Prohibiting Camping on Public Property and Sleeping in Public Right-of-Ways (B)

This item involves a request for the City Commission to consider an ordinance to prohibit camping on public property and sleeping in public right-of-ways.

Explanation
With the opening and expansion of services at the Empowerment Center as a One-Stop Center for homeless services, City staff is seeking direction from the City Commission to prepare an ordinance for City Commission consideration to prohibit camping on public property and sleeping in public right-of-ways.

The City recognizes that courts have held it unlawful to criminalize daily life activities that homeless persons engage in in public places when they have no other place to conduct their daily life activities. However, the City, County and Gainesville community have dedicated significant resources to create shelter capacity and supportive services for those who are homeless so that they have an alternative place to engage in necessary daily life activities, such as shower and restroom facilities, storage of personal belongings and shelter for sleeping. City staff has been working with homeless advocates and the providers of homeless services to encourage the use of these services at the Empowerment Center consistent with the purpose and mission of the Empowerment Center. This is in addition to the homeless shelter and services provided by other organizations in the community.

The City has found that camping on public property and sleeping on public right-of-ways create public health, safety and welfare concerns that can be alleviated when safer options are available at community shelters whose purpose is to provide shelter and address the needs of those who are homeless.

In addition, the City has found that camping and sleeping in such public areas that are not designated or set up for such use leads to unhealthy conditions that impact homeless individuals and the general public such as garbage that attract...