COLUMBUS, Ohio — Destiny Lamar was proud to show off her new home. It has a garage, bedroom for her two children, and a fenced in yard for her dog. She can finally sleep in peace at night.
“I was so happy for me and my kids, like we finally got a house, a home,” said Lamar. “We don't have to worry about our neighbors fighting and… gang violence and a whole bunch of stuff.”
Lamar was looking to break out of her apartment complex in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood. She found a new construction home in the Hilltop.
The home was developed by Wade Jordan, a former landlord and graduate of the Affordable Housing Trust's Emerging Developers Accelerator Program. Jordan says without the coaching and networking, he wouldn’t have had a seat at the table.
“Minorities in the space, before I got into the program, I didn't know who to talk to or who to ask these questions to,” said Jordan. “There's not a lot of people of color, people that look like me and my neighborhood, doing what I'm trying to do.”
The program has been around for two years and it links developers with suppliers, larger developers and capital to build affordable housing units.
In a 2015 report, The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio estimated the region needs 54,000 affordable housing units. President and CEO of the Affordable Housing Trust Lark Mallory believes the number could be even higher.
“What I am excited about and what I am bullish about is that everyone is talking about housing,” said Mallory. “That is the first step in solving the issue is everyone recognizing that we have an issue. So now let's move forward and tackle it.”
A recent donation from JP Morgan Chase of $500,000 brings the total invested from the bank to $650,000, which will go towards the Emerging Developers Accelerator Program.
“The housing crisis in our region needs addressed and the solutions need to be equitable,” said Corrine Burger, Columbus location leader for JPMorgan Chase. “JPMorgan Chase proudly partners with government, business, and community leaders to create an inclusive economy for all.”
Affordable Housing Trust also partners with the U.S. Bank Foundation, the City of Columbus and Franklin County Commissioners. For more information, and to support or join future programs, click here.