Portsmouth City Council is set to vote on a major resolution at its upcoming meeting on Monday, April 14, that could shape how the city tackles one of its most urgent and visible challenges: homelessness.
The proposed “Resolution Supporting the Establishment of a Homelessness Task Force” aims to bring together local agencies, service providers, and community leaders to create a strategic, multidisciplinary plan for addressing the growing crisis.
What the Resolution Proposes
Introduced by Councilperson D. Packard of the 6th Ward, the resolution calls for the formation of a task force that would include representatives from key organizations already involved in assisting the unhoused population, including:
- The Counseling Center
- Community Action Organization (CAO)
- Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments
- SOMC and Southern Ohio Medical Center
- Scioto Christian Ministries
- The Salvation Army
- Shawnee State University
- The ADAMHS Board
- Local churches and shelters
According to the language of the resolution, these organizations are already doing what they can, but “do not have an official blueprint, resources, capacity, or all tools needed to fully address this complex challenge separately.”
The resolution acknowledges that homelessness in Portsmouth is a social, economic, and health crisis, and commits the city to developing and implementing a local plan that could ultimately be shared with state leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health.
Why Now?
The vote follows months of debate and rising frustration over how to handle visible encampments and public sanitation concerns. In December, council members considered—but ultimately declined to adopt—an amendment to Codified Ordinance 753.21, which would have banned tent habitation within city limits.
That meeting highlighted the complexity of the issue. Officials debated public health risks like unsanitary living conditions, including a reported situation on Fourth Street where a makeshift toilet (a five-gallon bucket) was used in a backyard encampment and dumped into an alley.
City Manager Sam Sutherland said the city isn’t trying to criminalize homelessness, but noted past efforts—such as the removal of 600 tons of trash from a viaduct encampment—show the scale of the problem. Residents have raised concerns about safety, disease, and environmental damage from unmanaged campsites.
What Happens Next?
City Council has several options on April 14:
- Approve the resolution and greenlight the task force.
- Modify the resolution’s language or scope.
- Reject it entirely.
- Take no action, delaying the issue once again.
Approval would mark a formal step toward a comprehensive and coordinated response, signaling to state and local partners that Portsmouth is ready to tackle the issue head-on.
The Bigger Picture: Homelessness in Portsmouth
While shelters like those led by Maureen Cadogan and others work tirelessly, they often operate at full capacity and without a citywide plan to coordinate care, manage resources, and address long-term solutions like housing, mental health care, and employment.
Experts say failing to act not only puts vulnerable individuals at risk but can also lead to greater public health crises, increased strain on emergency services, and lost opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration.
A task force could bring together the right voices—health experts, law enforcement, social workers, and housing advocates—to ensure that future decisions are based on data, compassion, and sustainable planning.
As Monday’s vote approaches, all eyes will be on Council to see whether this marks a turning point—or another delay—in Portsmouth’s battle against homelessness.
The City Council meeting will take place Monday, April 14, 2025. The public is encouraged to attend or follow along online through the city’s Facebook page.
