Presenting a Homelessness Guide in a Misguided State

Saturday marked the official release of the first version of "The Unofficial Guidebook for the Needy & Homeless." You can download it here. This guide builds on the County's slim offerings of homeless services with sections on where to find food sharings and a more complete collection of shelter and addiction resources.

We hope this guide can go a long way to upending the misinformed, under-served state of the marginalized people of Ft Lauderdale. Unfortunately the misguided sentiment of homeless policymakers in Ft Lauderdale and the entire state seem to grind on. Lee Feldman's plan to turn a disused BSO stockade into a shelter for downtown's chronically homeless fell through this week.

At the same time, the City of Miami is looking to attack homeless rights in the wake of the weakening of the Pottinger Agreement. On Thursday morning the City plans to pass a ban that would make it a criminal offence to possess blankets, mats, or pillows on the streets of Miami. The National Lawyers Guild and other activists are attending to oppose Miami's new attempt at a "Homeless Hate Law."

The Huffington Post also offered a blistering feature this week on Dr Robert Marbut, a millionaire homelessness consultant who has helped institute a policy of forcing homeless people off the streets in counties throughout the state. It's really a must-read for those that want to understand the currents of policy-making for homeless services in Florida.

Anti-Police Brutality Protests Continue Downtown

Following online & media outrage over the actions of FLPD Officer Victor Ramirez, anti-police brutality protests occurred Saturday at the Ft Lauderdale Police Department and Tuesday at Ft Lauderdale City Commission. Police Chief Adderly has continued to  make statements claiming that the incident will be fully investigated.

While the press has been closely following this story, the systemic way in which the FLPD handles the chronically homeless in downtown is something the City is still in denial about. Homeless advocates and other speakers were heavily discouraged from mentioning the incident when discussing the sharing ban and other issues throughout the City Commission meeting. The zoning amendment to the "sharing ban" ordinance passed.

"The Unofficial Ft Lauderdale Guidebook for the Needy & Homeless"

Saturday homeless advocates gather at the Unitarian Universalist Church for a screening of the documentary "Uncharted," which focuses on chronic homelessness in Indianapolis. As a matter of fact, Indianapolis City Council just this week passed a Homeless Bill of Rights.

Also available at the movie screening will be the first edition of "The Unofficial Ft Lauderdale Guidebook for the Needy & Homeless." This new resource book for homeless services particularly focuses on the needs of people in downtown Fort Lauderdale in a way that the City has avoided for years. This project is a result of yet another collaboration between homeless advocates in Ft Lauderdale to not just resist homeless hate laws but to provide the communication and services needed  to help those that are constantly slipping through the cracks in South Florida. They are free to everyone and we will be looking for help distributing it to various homeless service providers and downtown in the coming weeks.