Florence's New Urban Camping Ordinance Balances Public Safety and Homelessness

The city's compassionate approach to addressing homelessness sparks hope, but long-term solutions remain elusive

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:10am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a park bench repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the pop art style of Andy Warhol and conceptually representing the urban elements at the center of Florence's homelessness debate.Florence's urban camping ordinance aims to balance public safety concerns with compassionate solutions for the city's homeless population.Florence Today

Florence, South Carolina has implemented a new urban camping ordinance that takes a softer approach to addressing homelessness, prioritizing education and resource connection over immediate arrests. While this philosophical shift reflects a growing recognition that punitive measures rarely solve systemic issues, the success of the ordinance hinges on the capacity of the city's shelters to absorb the influx of those directed off the streets. As Florence experiments with this model, it highlights the broader challenges cities face in balancing public safety concerns with providing humanitarian aid to the homeless population.

Why it matters

Florence's approach to the urban camping ordinance contrasts sharply with the harsher stances taken by other cities, reflecting a more compassionate and nuanced understanding of homelessness. However, the long-term sustainability of this model depends on addressing the root causes of housing insecurity, such as affordable housing shortages and lack of access to mental health services. The outcome of Florence's experiment could provide valuable lessons for other municipalities grappling with similar issues.

The details

The new ordinance directs those camping in public spaces or blocking right-of-ways to seek shelter, with escalating penalties for repeat violations. However, rather than immediate arrests, police officers now prioritize education and resource connection. This philosophical shift reflects a growing recognition that homelessness is a symptom of broader economic, social, and structural failures, not a crime of choice. The success of this approach hinges on the capacity of Florence's shelters, which are currently operating at 90% capacity year-round. Temporary funding and the ordinance's focus on redirection rather than punishment have helped, but the long-term sustainability of the model remains uncertain.

  • The urban camping ordinance was announced in early 2026.
  • In the first three months of implementation, only one citation has been issued.

The players

Capt. Stephen Starling

A police official in Florence who has adopted a more compassionate approach to enforcing the urban camping ordinance.

Jon Weiss Jr.

The CEO of Florence's House of Hope shelter, who initially warned the ordinance could overwhelm already-strained shelters but has since praised the collaboration with law enforcement.

No One Unsheltered Committee

A local committee that has provided $75,000 in shared funds to help Florence's shelters offer hotel vouchers during peak demand.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working really hard to accommodate everybody.”

— Jon Weiss Jr., CEO of House of Hope shelter

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the camper who received the single citation out on bail.

The takeaway

Florence's urban camping ordinance is a work in progress that challenges assumptions about law enforcement, public space, and compassion. While it represents a step in the right direction, its true test lies in whether it inspires systemic change to address the root causes of homelessness, such as affordable housing shortages and lack of access to mental health services.