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Lawmakers focusing on efforts to solve affordable housing challenges in Ohio

One study shows a shortage of 267,000 affordable housing units for extremely low income Ohioans.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anyone looking for a home to buy or apartment to rent knows how high the costs are now. The same goes for many others trying to stay in their homes.

Amy Riegel, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, said a recent report shows a shortage of 267,000 affordable housing units for extremely low-income Ohioans. 

Riegel said that means only 40 units are available for every 100 low-income individuals needing a home.  

"When you're paying more than 50%, you're barely surviving," Riegel said. "It's not that you're giving up wants, it's that you can't fulfill your basic needs."

Affordable housing has been a big topic at the Ohio Statehouse for a long time, and this week, lawmakers are giving some possible solutions. 

State representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) introduced their bi-partisan bill Tuesday morning.

It would create a new housing fund that local governments could tap into if they adopt certain pro-housing policies, such as reducing single-family zoning, adding density bonuses and speeding up the permitting process.

"That will bolster supply, strengthen home ownership and help keep tenants in their homes," Isaacsohn said.
"To empower the American dream, we need to build more housing," Mathews said.

An hour after Mathews and Isaacsohn introduced their bill, faith leaders held a legislative lunch in the statehouse Atrium focusing on finding common sense solutions to meet Ohio's housing needs. 

P.J. Jackson shared her story of becoming homeless in 2012. She knows how hard and how expensive it is to find a home, and said she got lucky.

"To be honest it was blessings," Jackson said. "I met a case manager who worked with veterans. So I'm a veteran and she helped me get housing."

Jackson now works for the nonprofit Community Development for All People helping others facing similar challenges.    

"Some people, their rent is $1,100, $1,500 for a two-bedroom. It's just really crazy," Jackson said.

For months, members of the Senate Select Committee on Housing have been traveling the state, hearing testimony and working to find solutions to the housing crisis. State Senator Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) said they are putting together an array of bills.

"Some of them with long-term implications, some with very short-term that we needed to do with some sense of immediacy," Craig said. 

The Senate Select Committee on Housing will release its findings and recommendations at a news conference Wednesday morning. 

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