The Chillicothe Community Affairs Committee on July 14 reported it had adopted a mission statement to guide development of a five-year plan aimed at reducing homelessness and related suffering in the community.

Committee Chair Bennett told the council the committee agreed the mission is "to develop suggestions and strategies to assist in the reduction of homelessness, suffering in our community. We want to foster collaboration with the community groups as well as leaders across the board to find solutions to help the need immediately as well as a long term goal for prevention, education, and resource assessibilities." The statement was read into the record during committee reports.

The committee said its work will include fostering collaboration with community groups and leaders to pursue immediate needs and long-term solutions focused on prevention, education and resource accessibility. The committee did not attach a budget or a firm timeline to the five-year planning effort during the July 14 report.

No formal vote was recorded by the full council on the mission statement during the meeting; the report provided an update on committee direction and next steps.