A new law that went into effect this week has made it illegal to sleep in public across Florida, raising pressing concerns about what will happen to the state’s homeless population, particularly in Miami. This controversial move has left many, like Ileana Napoleoni, who has been living on the streets of downtown Miami since early this year, facing even more uncertainty. Napoleoni, who has already lost most of her possessions, including her daughter’s ashes, now fears losing what little freedom she has left.
A Law That Outlaws Homelessness
As of October 1, cities and counties across Florida are required to enforce a statewide prohibition on public camping and sleeping. The new regulation comes amid a nationwide struggle to address rising homelessness, but Florida’s approach to the issue is raising eyebrows. Instead of addressing the root causes, the state has opted to outlaw sleeping in public spaces, effectively criminalizing those without homes.
For Napoleoni and many others in similar situations, this law means trying to find new, hidden spots to sleep, moving frequently to avoid detection. She’s clear about one thing, though: she has no intention of returning to the county’s shelters, which she describes as unsettling. “I’d rather go to jail,” she said, sitting under the shade of an Interstate 95 overpass.