Melbourne Vice Mayor David Neuman Proposes Resolution Declaring State of Emergency to Address Homeless

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The residents of Fee Avenue, the surrounding neighborhood, and downtown Melbourne have been impacted by the growing homeless population in those areas.

It has grown since COVID and cities such as Palm Bay (article citing Palm Bay General Order 514Melbourne homeless issue once again is a top issue for city) have been sending their homeless population to Melbourne so that our city and nonprofits spend our resources to get them help.

It has reached a breaking point where residents don’t feel safe using their local library and feel unsafe on their streets.

I personally saw homeless individuals doing drugs right outside of a school as I exited church this Sunday.

With homelessness growing and spreading I have written a resolution to declaring a State of Emergency for the City of Melbourne in regards to homelessness.

It is my goal to have the city expedite any plans it currently has to address homelessness as well as find County, State, and Federal resources to get them help. This Emergency should also help us for our Workshop that will be happening in February (no date given yet) where City Council will give staff direction on what policy we would like to pursue.

I am proposing that the City of Melbourne find property West of I-95 to create a designated homeless location in accordance with the State of Florida’s recently passed homeless law. I would welcome non-profits working with the city to provide wrap around services there and finding solutions to the homeless crisis all from one centralized location.

The City of Melbourne must lead on the issue of homelessness so that our residents can have a safe place to live work and play.

Residents have told me that homelessness has gotten so bad that they feel unsafe using their local library on Fee Avenue. The city must do everything that they can to help these residents feel safe in their own neighborhood.

This issue will take a village. I encourage all residents from Melbourne and the surrounding city to solve the homeless crisis in Melbourne. Melbourne must lead on this issue. No one is coming to save us.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MELBOURNE, BREVARD  COUNTY, FLORIDA, DECLARING A STATE OF  EMERGENCY IN REGARD TO MELBOURNE’S HOMELESS  CRISIS; MAKING FINDINGS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE  DATE; AND PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION. 

WHEREAS, Residents in the City of Melbourne have stated at City Council Meetings  that there is trespassing, threats of violence, and that they feel unsafe outside their homes,  especially along Fee Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood; and 

WHEREAS, the homeless population in Melbourne has harmed business activity and  made residents feel unsafe in downtown Melbourne resulting in a negative impact on  commercial activity according to City Council Meeting comments; and 

WHEREAS, residents and businesses have frequently and publicly called on the City  of Melbourne to help address the above concerns; and 

WHEREAS, instances of homeless individuals trespassing on private property and  concerning residents and businesses is spreading across the City of Melbourne; and WHEREAS, neighboring municipalities are allegedly sending their homeless population  to the City of Melbourne; and 

WHEREAS, the homeless population continuously disobeys the laws and ordinances  of the City of Melbourne; and 

WHEREAS, the violation of these laws and ordinances are a threat to the general  welfare of residents especially those on Fee Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood; and WHEREAS, there is substantial harm happening to the individuals who reside on Fee  Avenue, the surrounding neighborhood, and the businesses downtown; and WHEREAS, the City of Melbourne should be a city where residents feel safe to live,  work, and play; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF MELBOURNE, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. That the City of Melbourne, Florida directs the City Manager to declare a  State of Emergency under Chapter 18 Article II, Section 18-23. 

SECTION 2. That the City Manager will direct appropriate staff to secure resources from  County, State, and Federal Agencies to help enforce existing laws, provide resources that the  City can use to address the homeless crisis, and effectively move homeless individuals to  places they can get help outside of the City of Melbourne.  

SECTION 3. That the City Manager will expedite any plans and operations the City of  Melbourne has or will have during the State of Emergency to address the homeless crisis in  Melbourne using the powers granted in the City Charter and Florida Statutes. 

SECTION 4. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption in  accordance with the Charter of the City of Melbourne for the period of seven days. SECTION 5. That the City Manager will renew the State of Emergency until the  maximum 42 day limitation or until the City Council has determined the State of Emergency  has expired. 

SECTION 6. That this resolution was adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the 28th day of January, 2025. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melbourne Vice Mayor David Neuman represents District 3 and was elected to the Melbourne City Council in November 2024. He also serves on the Airport Authority Board. His current term extends to November 2028.

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