City, ACLU settle homelessness case

Two years after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the city regarding its treatment of homeless individuals, the two sides have come to an agreement settling the case.

The agreement, approved by a federal judge today, outlines the conditions under which the city is allowed to enforce its lodging out-of-doors ordinance. It also codifies terms regarding the Salvation Army on Tenth Street, which the city uses as a shelter for homeless individuals.

Under the agreement, the city must provide emergency shelter beds for homeless individuals, prohibiting scenarios in which people are allowed to sleep on the floor except in emergencies. The city is not allowed to enforce its lodging ordinance if there are not available shelter beds.

The city will pay $1,000 to the eight homeless individuals named as plaintiffs in the case, and $27,000 to cover opposing attorney’s fees.

City Manager Tom Barwin said the agreement affirms the city’s current policies for addressing homelessness.

“The settlement, as written up, blesses and codifies us continuing to do what we have been doing,” Barwin said.

Michael Barfield, ACLU of Florida vice president, said the agreement is important for establishing a baseline for how individuals are treated at the Salvation Army.

“That is, to me, the big takeaway,” Barfield said. “Because I think it will incentivize people who previously did not want to stay at the Salvation Army to go there.”

Barfield said it’s important to ensure the public — and particularly homeless individuals — are educated about their rights under the terms of the agreement. He also said it’s important for the city and other regional stakeholders to continue to take steps to address homelessness.

“Hopefully, this will incentivize the city to take the next step,” Barfield said.

Officials have made strides in its fight against homelessness since the suit was filed, getting more than 200 individuals off the streets in the past year, Barwin said. He’s hopeful all stakeholders involved will continue to make progress, calling for increased funding to support the city’s policy of rapidly rehousing homelessness individuals.

“The more we can put our efforts in that trajectory, the faster and the better results we’ll see moving forward,” Barwin said.