SARASOTA COUNTY - Sarasota County is hosting a public workshop at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6, to provide the community an opportunity to offer feedback on the proposed quality of life ordinance.  
 
The proposed ordinance engages individuals experiencing homelessness while residing on public land, and encourages them to take advantage of shelter, housing and services. The proposed ordinance also provides law enforcement officials with another tool to engage the homeless community, and requires the offer of free shelter and transportation prior to issuing any enforcement violations for camping, storing of personal property or improperly using public lands. 
 
Once in shelter, those individuals will be afforded the opportunity to explore housing options through the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness' Continuum of Care Coordinate Entry System. 
 
"The public workshop will provide a brief overview of the ordinance and allow for the public to provide input," said Homeless Services Director Wayne Applebee. 

The authorization to advertise the ordinance was approved by the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 29. A public hearing for the proposed ordinance is expected to come before the board on Oct. 11. 
 
The workshop will be held in the first floor press room, at the Sarasota County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. 
 
For more information call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or to view the draft ordinance visit Sarasota County's Homeless Services page.