COLUMBUS, Ohio — The need for affordable housing continues to grow in Columbus. That's why city leaders are focused on making it a big priority.
This year, the city invested more than $21 million toward affordable housing, and they plan to invest more in in 2024.
In March, Columbus City Council announced an 18-month plan to take on 12 housing initiatives focused on investment, preservation and inclusion of Columbus’ housing stock.
The impact of a lack of affordable housing and wholesaling is something Shamikia Smith, the vice president of Housing Programs for IMPACT Community Action, said they see people daily who are in need of help.
“The reality right now is everyone cannot afford to live where they work,” said Smith. "We're growing faster than we ever thought humanly possible."
Smith said many people are being priced out of their homes.
“Someone is going to have to pick up the mantle of declaring that housing is that crisis and also in the same breath that housing is a human right,” said Smith.
That’s a challenge the city accepted.
This year the city launched multiple pieces of legislation to help evictions:
- Legal Representation in Eviction Court
- Pathways to Homeownership
- Homeport Easton Place Homes Development
- Housing Resource Specialists
- Success Bridge Program
- Third-Party Payments
- Pay to Stay
- Owner/Occupied Initiative
- Retaliatory Action
- Central Ohio Stable Housing Network Established
“This council believes that people who have lived here their whole lives should not be priced out of their communities,” said Council President Shannon Hardin.
During Monday night's meeting, council voted to invest another $4.5 million toward the housing crisis to create new affordable housing options and ensure residents that are homeless have safe and warm shelter.
Because of the growth rate, council members said Columbus needs to build 10,000 to 15,000 units a year.
"That's why we’re building so many different units at so many different price points. Because that takes the pressure off of just having a certain pot of units for those who are severely low income,” said Councilwoman Shayla Favors.
Smith said she supports the many efforts by the city and believes if the city grows, its people deserve to grow with it.
"It's a step in the right direction, and more steps need to be taken,” said Smith.