Survey asks businesses about homeless people

The number of responses wasn’t overwhelming.

Butler County officials at all levels are trying to tackle the homeless issue that most say is pervasive, but a recent survey of Hamilton businesses says the problem isn’t crippling operations.

Homelessness has become a hot topic this summer as Scott Rasmus, executive director of the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board, has been working to establish an Emergency Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Center.

As part of his due diligence and with the help of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dan Bates, he surveyed about 5,000 business people about the homeless issue. He only received 22 responses and 31.8% said they have no problems at all with the homeless and a dozen were below 50 on the 100 point scale gauging the severity of the problem.

Bates told the Journal-News he was surprised anyone responded at all — the first time they sent out the survey no one replied.

“Even though it’s a problem for businesses, it’s also not in their toolbox to solve,” Bates said. “I think that they look at it as something that somebody needs to deal with, but that’s not their expertise, and I think that’s part of the low response to the survey.”

The bulk of the survey delved into the specifics of the issue, including main problems, cost, possible benefits like hiring opportunities and possible solutions. Harassing and or scaring customers, using and in some cases “trashing” the restrooms, setting up camps near outdoor dining areas and a host of other complaints.