Local Leaders Gather to Provide Updates on the City Homeless Crisis

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Local organizations and leaders gathered for a third meeting today that discussed possible solutions for the homelessness within the community.

John Benson, City of Zanesville Code Enforcement Administrator and Building Inspector, said he’s witnessed a total of nine people have been found living in tents and some are on drugs, mentally challenged or unfit. 

During the meeting, local leaders talked about possibly establishing a “tent city” or an area where the homeless can legally live in an organized temporary outdoor shelter.

“And there were a lot of good ideas that were brought up today that will be scheduled for the next meeting because there were entities that we would like to have involved, government wise, and those people can sit an answer questions that are asked by the individuals that were here today, which are people that see the homeless and work with the homeless everyday,” Benson stated.

One resident who spoke on their personal experience stated that “those who are homeless should be looked at as community members as well and given a voice.” 

Zanesville Municipal Court Judge, Andrew Joseph, said they want to start focusing more on mental health and disabilities rather than just the normal arrest and violations. This way those who leave jail can have a plan and not end up back on the streets.

“Certainly the justice system is there for punishment, but it’s also there for rehabilitation,” Joseph said. “And what I asked today was to reach out to community members who do work with the homeless on the daily bases to communicate with the law director and with the court so that when it comes time to set conditions on people whether it be pre conviction for bail or whether it comes time to sentence somebody, that we can direct the court services to those issues that most directly impact the underlying crimes that I see.”

There is no date set for the next meeting, but Benson plans to invite the voice of the homeless, mental health providers and government officials.