City eyes new rules for the homeless

Findlay Council may soon be asked to make sleeping on city property a crime. Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn said the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that people without homes can be arrested and fined for sleeping in public spaces. The 6-3 decision is considered the most significant ruling on the issue from the high court in decades. "We are looking at presenting an ordinance which would make it illegal to sleep on city property including sidewalks/benches," she said. "We would have a coordinated plan to have warnings and then escalate up to a misdemeanor ticket and then a trespass arrest. This would be rolled out with the City Mission's low-barrier shelter and give us the ability to force help without throwing folks into the hospital or jail." She said more information is to come. Advocates for the homeless say record numbers of Americans lack permanent housing. In 2023, it was estimated that there were about 150 to 160 homeless individuals in Hancock County, according to Findlay's Unsheltered Coalition. Most are being sheltered by an organization, like the City Mission, Blanchard Valley Hospital or a rehabilitation facility. Some are believed to be living in cars or garages or staying with friends or relatives. The rest are living out of tents or living on the streets. The coalition was formed in mid-2022 at the behest of Mayor Christian Muryn due to the "increased presence" of the unhoused population in Findlay. Muryn asked Service-Safety Director Rob Martin and Kathryn Bausman, executive director of the City Mission of Findlay, 510 W Main Cross St., to lead the effort. Martin has said the unhoused population has become more "visible" in Findlay in recent years due to the demolition of abandoned and dilapidated structures and the clearing of brush areas in the city, which eliminated shelters or areas that kept them out of sight. The coalition is focused on community education, affordable housing and "low-barrier" housing. Member agencies include The Community Foundation, Blanchard Valley Health System, Hancock Public Health, The United Way of Hancock County, Habitat for Humanity, ADAMHS, City Mission, FOCUS, Hancock Metropolitan Housing Authority, The Alliance, Family Resource Center, Hope House, the city of Findlay and local faith-based groups. Housing efforts have focused on creating a "common goal" among area agencies for affordable housing and looking for ways to increase access and capacity in the local housing market. According to the coalition, 74% of the county's homeless population is employed, but can't find housing. An individual earning $15 an hour can afford to pay about $780 per month for housing, according to the coalition. The average rent in Findlay is $850 to $1,000 per month. The City Mission is working to offer a "low-barrier" housing option. "Low-barrier" housing or shelter minimizes the "barriers" to someone accessing the housing. The City Mission requires a negative alcohol breathalyzer test, a minimal background check and a negative drug screen for entry, all designed to ensure the mission remains safe, especially for families with children. However, the rules can create a barrier for some homeless individuals.