Council Workshop on Homelessness Postponed: New Opportunities for Community Input

Palm Bay Postpones Workshop on House Bill 1365 and Homelessness to Include Incoming Council Members

PALM BAY, FL — The City of Palm Bay has postponed the Council Workshop on House Bill 1365 and homelessness, originally scheduled for November 19, 2024. The Council decided to reschedule the workshop during its November 7 meeting to allow incoming members to participate after they are sworn in. A new date for the workshop will be announced soon.

The postponed workshop aims to address House Bill 1365, which came into effect on October 1, 2024. This bill is significant because it directly impacts how local governments manage public spaces and provide support for unhoused individuals. House Bill 1365 requires counties and municipalities to prohibit unauthorized sleeping or camping on public property without proper authorization. It also mandates that designated sites for temporary shelters provide access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services. The goal of the workshop is to bring together a broad coalition of community organizations, including churches, faith-based groups, non-profits, and service providers, to find collaborative solutions to the challenges posed by this new legislation.

Council Seeks Broader Participation from Stakeholders

By postponing the workshop, the City aims to foster greater participation from both newly elected Council members and community stakeholders, ensuring that fresh perspectives are included in discussions about homelessness. The City encourages residents, non-profits, and other community groups to contribute their insights via an online survey, available at www.pbfl.org/unhoused under the "Addressing Homelessness" section. This survey is intended to gather valuable input on the best approaches to addressing homelessness in Palm Bay and complying with the requirements of House Bill 1365.

Community Organizations Encouraged to Engage

The City recognizes the vital role played by community partners in serving the homeless population, from providing emergency shelter and social support to facilitating food distribution and mobile health services. All community organizations and service providers dedicated to assisting those in need are encouraged to attend the rescheduled workshop once a new date is confirmed.

The workshop will include a presentation on the current state of homelessness in Palm Bay, an overview of House Bill 1365, and details of the Palm Bay Police Department's involvement in implementing the law. Following the presentation, an open discussion will invite attendees to share their perspectives, propose strategies, and offer feedback on how best to meet the community's needs—including emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent affordable housing, and case management.

Stay Informed

The City of Palm Bay is committed to ensuring a productive dialogue among community members, local organizations, and service providers. Stay tuned for updates on the rescheduled workshop date. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to visit www.pbfl.org/unhoused to participate in the ongoing conversation and help shape the future of homelessness solutions in Palm Bay.

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