COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city of Columbus is faced with a growing homeless crisis as the cost of housing continues to increase.
Columbus City Council announced Wednesday that $9.4 million will go to the Community Shelter Board to help combat homelessness.
The Community Shelter Board aids people experiencing homelessness in finding a place to stay and connects them with resources to better their situation.
The $9.4 million comes from Federal ARPA money. It is in addition to the initial $5.5 million already allocated to the CSB in the 2024 operating budget recently passed by the city council.
“This is a large issue that will not be tackled overnight. Even these dollars won’t solve the issue, but it will right-size a ship that has had some issues. The system has been under the growing weight of the growing numbers of folks who are unhoused,” said Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin.
The city’s homeless population increased by 46% during a point-in-time count in 2023. National research firm Focus Strategies predicts the homeless population in Columbus and Franklin County could increase by 86% by 2028 due to the housing affordability crisis unless drastic action is taken.
“This is important because as a growing city, we have growing problems that need growing solutions. We have a shelter system that is being stretched to its breaking point,” said Hardin.
Councilmember Melissa Green has a background in social work and said anyone could find themselves without a place to go.
“People that are experiencing housing insecurity and are unsheltered are no different than you and I,” she said. “Life happens. We all experience hardship. Some of us have a greater safety net to manage the storm than others.”
Hardin said Columbus has invested about $50 million into the Community Shelter Board since 2020. The $9.4 million is a one-time investment of the ARPA money. Hardin said the future is going to require community support.
“We’re all going to have to stack hands and come up with a community plan that tackles this big issue with big bold ideas,” said Hardin. “We know this is a long-term need and we’re going to work through long-term solutions. We can’t be afraid of tackling or working toward this issue.”