FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 22, 2009
CONTACT:
Communications Office, (786) 363-2737 or media@aclufl.org
MIAMI – The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida’s Greater Miami Chapter today released a revised study, which shows that anticipated legislation aimed at increasing the State’s residency restrictions for sex offenders from 1,000 to 1,750 feet offers no solution to lack of affordable housing for sex offenders in Miami-Dade County.
The study shows that there would be a minimal increase in the availability of housing under a potential statewide 1,750-foot scenario compared to the overly burdensome 2,500-foot local ordinances currently in place in Miami-Dade County, in addition to the State’s 1,000-foot restriction.
However, in the category of actually available housing for less than $750/month (which is what most released offenders need), under the 1,750-foot anticipated scenario, there were only two available units in July 2009, and when designated public school bus stops were added to the restrictions, there was virtually no available housing.
To view the detailed results of the survey, download the PDF here: http://www.aclufl.org/pdfs/Report_Oct2009.pdf
To view the original ACLU study, released in August 2009, download the PDF here: www.aclufl.org/pdfs/SORRStudy.pdf
About the ACLU of Florida
The ACLU of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our web site at: www.aclufl.org.
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