A makeshift sheler of pallets and branches can be seen from State Route 52 in Manchester near Cemetery Street. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
Help available in the county
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
Ohio ranks 11th in the nation, with 10,654 individuals experiencing homelessness, according to WorldPopulationReview.com. Homelessness is an issue that cannot be ignored, with an estimated homeless population of 500 in Adams County.
The problem is not new for the county. A homeless shelter was first established in 1995. The current Adams County Homeless Shelter, located at 11483 State Route 41 in West Union, can house up to 18 people.
With a population of 27,477, according to the 2020 Census, Adams County represents just 0.23% of Ohio’s population. However, the county’s homeless rate is 1.8%, compared to the state average of 0.09%. In other words, Adams County has a homelessness rate 20 times higher than the state average.
“They are on every riverbank, every creek bank, and in every empty building. Under a tree, in a tent, or in a car—wherever they can find shelter,” said Char Brown, director of the Adams County Homeless Shelter.
During her nearly six years at the shelter, Brown has discovered that many individuals avoid the shelter due to drug addiction, alcoholism or lifestyle choices.
“We understand that, but when they come to our door, we feed them,” Brown told The People’s Defender. “We give them food to take back with them. If they haven’t had a meal for a day or two, we put them in the kitchen and feed them.”
Brown believes more can be done to address homelessness in Adams County. “Our administration could help a lot,” she stated bluntly.
The shelter is a nonprofit organization funded in part by the Ohio Department of Development, with much of its funding dependent on donations and community fundraisers.
“Adams County people are the most giving people I’ve ever seen in my life. They’ll give you the shirt off their back,” said Brown.
The issue is multifaceted, according to Brown. “Part of it is money, part of it is housing availability, part of it is jobs that pay enough to sustain housing, and much of the housing available in the county is not properly maintained.”
Another resource for homeless individuals and families is the Adams Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) in Manchester. The AMHA offers two programs: Section 8, also known as housing choice vouchers, and the public housing program.
Adams County has 141 public housing units, including apartment complexes in Peebles and Manchester, as well as several single-family homes in Manchester, Seaman, Peebles and Winchester.
Adams County Section 8 coordinator Marlene Potts explained the requirements for landlords to participate in the housing choice voucher program.
“Any unit can qualify; however, the landlord cannot be a relative of the voucher holder. The unit must pass inspection, and the tenant cannot be asked to pay more than 40% of their income toward rent and utilities,” Potts said. “Tenants must be income-eligible based on family size, and the only background check we conduct is for sexual or drug-related offenses.”
AMHA Assistant Director Sherry Barr noted that qualifying for public housing units is more stringent. “We own and maintain the public housing units, so we require landlord references, personal references, a credit check and a court records check. We screen them more thoroughly because we are going to be their landlord.”
A challenge for the homeless population is that applicants must have an address to receive mail for services.
“Most homeless people in the county don’t have an address, so they don’t apply,” Potts said. “They can use a friend or family member’s address if they have a way to receive mail so we can notify them.”
Some homeless individuals in Adams County are unwilling to take on the responsibility of having a home.
“Some people are more comfortable living out of their car or going from family member to family member,” Barr said.
“We have rules, and they don’t want to follow those rules,” Potts added.
Barr believes that many homeless people in the county are not local residents. “Most of the homelessness I’m seeing, I’ve never seen before. They seem to be coming from outside. There aren’t that many resources for homeless people around here.”
Barr and Potts agree that a larger homeless shelter could help alleviate the issue.
“We provide a needed service here in the county, and we do a good job with that,” Barr said. “Unfortunately, there are times we try to contact people, set up appointments, and they just don’t show up.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with homelessness in Adams County or would like to help, contact the Adams County Homeless Shelter at (937) 544-8164, or reach out to the AMHA at (937) 549-2648.
