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Palm Bay council workshop outlines response to House Bill 1365, directs stand‑down outreach
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Summary
At a workshop focused on House Bill 1365, Palm Bay staff and local nonprofit leaders reviewed homelessness data and programs; council gave staff direction to organize a stand‑down outreach event and to pursue RFPs and coordination to comply with the new law.
Palm Bay city officials and community partners met in a public workshop to discuss local implementation of House Bill 1365 and to survey services and gaps for people experiencing homelessness. City staff, police leaders and representatives from the Brevard Homeless Coalition laid out counts, programs and next steps; the council asked staff to organize a large stand‑down outreach event and to pursue coordinated regional responses.
Police and city staff framed the legal and operational backdrop for the conversation. The police chief said the department has tracked contacts with a homelessness designation since 2018 and reported "131 contacts with homeless population in the city of Palm Bay in 2023" and "2024 year to date, we're at 234," a rise the chief described as "about a 78%" increase. The chief told the council that officers prioritize offering services but will enforce trespass warnings and, when necessary, arrests at property‑owner requests.
Community development staff described the city’s existing investments in prevention and shelter alternatives. The department reported ARPA and CDBG investments to local partners and described a Space Coast Area Transit bus‑voucher pilot that was funded at $9,000 in its first year and budgeted at $6,300 for the current year; staff emphasized vouchers are issued in 30‑day increments and purchased in bulk.
Amber Carroll, executive director of the Brevard Homeless Coalition, said the Continuum of Care will receive funding set aside by the state under House Bill 1365 and that county point‑in‑time data show 1,116 people experiencing homelessness in January 2024, including 779 unsheltered individuals. "When you hear that, know that that means that money will funnel through the Brevard County COC," she said.
Councilmembers pressed staff on coordination and liability under the new statute. The city attorney told the council that municipalities are responsible for taking action when people camp on public property and that the statute gives cities an initial 5‑day cure period after notice. In response, the council voted informal consensus to direct staff to prepare a stand‑down outreach event and to return with RFP and coordination plans: City Manager "Mister Morgan" was assigned as the staff point of contact and Councilman Hammer agreed to lead community coordination.
The council did not take a formal vote on ordinance changes at the workshop. Mayor Medina said the immediate priorities are (1) a stand‑down outreach that can deliver IDs, basic hygiene and referrals; (2) closer regional coordination on shelter capacity; and (3) staff follow‑up to ensure the city remains within the law’s required timelines. Council members asked staff to return with specific proposals and cost estimates.
The meeting closed with the mayor directing staff to begin planning the stand‑down and to work with Brevard County partners and nonprofit providers on next steps. The council indicated a desire to maintain regular follow‑up on implementation and compliance with House Bill 1365.
