Homeless Initiatives

Welcome to the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Homeless Initiatives webpage. This webpage provides information on the current projects and initiatives the City is working on to mitigate the hardships and community effects of homelessness. Addressing homelessness is a complex challenge that requires a multi-faceted approach. Here in Fort Lauderdale, our dedicated Homeless Outreach Team, part of the Police Department, is actively working every day to connect with our homeless population. Our efforts focus on encouraging individuals to utilize the array of social services and housing opportunities available. Our goal is to address the root causes of homelessness compassionately and effectively, rather than merely displacing those affected.

Florida’s House Bill 1365, effective October 1, 2024, prohibits camping or sleeping on public property. This law defines camping as lodging, residing, or remaining in an outdoor space temporarily using any tent, hut, lean-to, shack, or temporary shelter that provides cover from the elements for sleeping purposes. Residents can report instances of camping or sleeping on public property through the FixIt FTL app or by visiting fortlauderdale.gov/fixitftl.