Middletown residents say other towns "dumping" homeless in their city

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WKRC) - The homeless population in Middletown is changing and the community wants to fix the problem.

Local business owner, Heather Gibson, is infuriated because they think other towns are dumping their homeless people in Middletown.

“You'll come in a day and there will be 10 new people that you don’t know, and you're like, 'Where did they come from?'” said Gibson.

Gibson owns Triple Moon Coffee Company in the heart of downtown Middletown. While the city is trying to revitalize itself, an influx of homeless people from other towns is not helping.

Business owner, Amy Wray said, “They've stated themselves that they're from Hamilton or Fairfield and they are giving vouchers to come down here. They are either being dropped down at the homeless shelter, the library or other stores, often in the middle of the night.”

Middletown apparently has more resources for the homeless than other nearby cities but still not enough.

The Middletown Chief of Police posted on Facebook about the issue. He is aware that other cities are dropping off homeless people in the city and is saddened by the situation.

Local business owners and residents attended a city council meeting Tuesday night. They shared stories, addressed the problem and offered possible solutions.