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About House Bill 1365 – Public Camping Bill

The purpose of this page is to inform about HB 1365 – what it states and what it does not.

  • HB 1365 prohibits a county or municipality from authorizing or otherwise allowing any person to regularly engage in public camping or sleeping on any public property including public buildings or grounds and public right of ways overnight
  • Public camping or sleeping is defined as residing or lodging overnight in a temporary outdoor habitation It does not include camping for recreational purposes where permitted or sleeping in a motor vehicle that is licensed, insured and lawfully located

Designated Sites for Public Camping & Sleeping

HB 1365 further authorizes, but does NOT require, a county to designate a property to be used for public camping or sleeping.

  • Public lands mean lands within the state that are available for public use and that are owned, operated, or managed by a federal, state, county, or municipal governmental entity
  • Private lands are owned by an individual, a business or another type of non-governmental organization

What It Does Not Do:

  • HB 1365 law does not criminalize homelessness
  • Does not address or stop daytime sleeping in public places or panhandling; only overnight camping from midnight to 6pm is prohibited
  • Does not prohibit people from living in their cars that are properly registered and insured
  • Does not address private property
  • Finally, the law does not require a county or municipality to have a shelter bed for every individual who is unsheltered

Agencies

Collier County Community and Human Services Division – Housing Operations works with community agencies and conducts outreach to help alleviate homelessness in Collier County.  Following are resources to assist those serving the community and those facing homelessness:

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The Florida Senate

CS/CS/HB 1365 — Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping

https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2024/html/3463

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SWFL Regional Coalition to End Homelessness – Collier & Lee

The mission of the Hunger & Homeless Coalition is to support the planning, delivery and coordination of high-quality services to the hungry, homeless, and those at risk of homelessness in our community.

https://collierhomelesscoalition.org/

programs@collierhomelesscoalition.org
Phone: (239) 263-9363

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Florida Coalition to End Homelessness

https://fchonline.org/

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD provides housing support and uplifts communities. Homelessness assistance programs provide funding to states and local governments and nonprofit providers to serve individuals and families across the United States who are affected by homelessness.

https://www.hud.gov/

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Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

The mission of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities by leading the nation in the enforcement, administration, development, and public understanding of federal fair housing policies and laws.

https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing

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