Fort Lauderdale Mayor Candidate Proposes Homeless Camp Near Stadium

Fort Lauderdale, FL - A proposal to establish a homeless encampment on vacant land near Chase Stadium has ignited controversy within the city of Fort Lauderdale.

Mayoral candidate Jim Lewis presented the plan to city commissioners, arguing that it would be a practical solution to address the growing homeless crisis.

He suggested utilizing a portion of the land adjacent to the stadium, providing essential amenities like portable showers to ensure the comfort of those living there.

However, the proposal faced strong opposition from city officials and community members.

Commissioner John Herbst firmly stated that a homeless camp would never be allowed in a Fort Lauderdale park, citing the city's abundance of green spaces.

The discussion was further complicated by the impending October 1st deadline for counties and municipalities to designate specific areas for homeless individuals to camp.

The new state law requires these areas to meet certain conditions and be approved by the state.

Commissioner Steven Glassman emphasized the importance of local governments taking the initiative to address the homelessness issue rather than solely relying on state mandates.

Lewis acknowledged the complexities of the situation, noting that homelessness is a multifaceted issue with various underlying causes.

He stressed the need for the community to take action and provide support to those in need.

The city's draft ordinance prohibiting camping and sleeping on public property was also on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting.

The ordinance outlines guidelines for officer response and the services to be offered before making arrests.

A vote on the ordinance is expected to take place later in September.