VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach City Council is expected to vote on an ordinance that would add a new section to city code banning tents on city beaches at night.
If the statute were passed, tents, shelters or any structures would be prohibited on the beach from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day.
Councilmember Jessica Abbott has stated that this ordinance would unfairly target and criminalize the homeless.
Organizations in the area also spoke out saying there are not enough resources in the city to help homeless people.
The Virginia Beach Housing Resource Center is hosting an event on Thursday that will give the people access to services and resources designed to transition out of homelessness.
City Council took up the matter of forbidding tents on the beach last month but tabled it for another council meeting.