ORLANDO, Fla. — In October a new state law takes effect that would ban sleeping or camping in public. To plan for that change, Orange County leaders came together to discuss homelessness Thursday.

The goal of the meeting, they said, was to find alternatives to putting violators in jail.

What You Need To Know

  • In October, House Bill 1365 — which bans sleeping or camping in public — takes effect

  • Leaders from Orlando and Orange County came together Thursday to discuss ways to find alternatives to putting violators in jail

They discussed the possibility of making the Christian Service Center a homeless court, which could help break down legal barriers for people experiencing homelessness. 

“We can divert people from going to the jail to a different provider, to more of a drop-in like shelter, or service provider," State Attorney Andrew Bain said. "That way, we can reduce our numbers that we spend at the jail.”  

Bain says he’s concerned about House Bill 1365, a new law that will go into effect next month that bans sleeping or camping in public.

Bain said he wanted the community to find a way to avoid criminalizing more homeless people, and said collaboration with county leadership is crucial to doing that.

“We have to make sure that there are different solutions," he said. "Every option is on the table to address this issue."

Christian Service Center Executive Director Eric Gray said his organization has offered its location to be a homeless court. 

Homeless courts, according to the American Bar Association, are created to counter the effect of criminal cases involving homeless defendants. They can include a progressive plea bargaining system, alternate sentencing options, and assurances of no custody.

“It’s just a much more efficient process of trying to lighten the load on the court system," Gray said. "And lighten the burden on people experiencing homelessness who, unfortunately, are being fined or arrested for public urination or camping."

Last week, discussions concerning a 24/7 homeless shelter were tabled following feedback from the Rock Lake community.

Orlando District 5 Interim Commissioner Shan Rose said she used to struggle with homelessness and believes now is the time for change.

“This is innovation at its finest," she said. "We’re dealing with a complex situation, and homelessness is extremely complex. There is no one-size-fits-all, but we have to give options and opportunities."