Columbus Department of Development

The Resilient Housing Initiative (RHI), launched in 2025, is designed to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability for extremely low-income Columbus residents facing homelessness.

If you’re facing homelessness soon because you have nowhere safe to stay when you lose your current housing, call 614-278-0080 and RHI hotline operators will screen you for eligibility for the program. A Housing Resource Specialist will contact you if you’re eligible to help create a plan that can resolve the housing problems you’re facing and may connect you with financial assistance.

If you are already homeless or need immediate shelter, please call the 24-hour Homeless Hotline at 614-274-7000.

More affordable housing is on the horizon for the Discovery District. Thanks to the collaboration of Columbus State Community Partners and Woda Cooper Companies, Inc., $2.4 million in HOME funds is going toward Opportunity Pointe I and II, 166 affordable apartments located near jobs, education, transit, and services downtown. Columbus Department of Development Columbus State Community College

Happy

City of Columbus Planning Division Zone In Phase 2 Update

Columbus Financial Empowerment Center clients have reached another incredible milestone: reducing their non-mortgage debt by $4.6 million and saving $1.4 million! In September 2025, FEC clients achieved a milestone of reducing non-mortgage debt by $3 million, achieving a $1 million reduction of non-mortgage debt in just 6 months. These milestones are possible through the dedication of both the counselors and the clients to achieving financial goals together.

Following a thorough and deliberate review, the City of Columbus is pausing the Big Darby Accord Amendment process to allow for more coordination and consideration with our Accord partners. We look forward to advancing the draft Amendment this fall because we believe it is the right plan for the Big Darby watershed.

For the last 18 months, Mayor Ginther and his administration have led Columbus’ participation alongside our Accord partners in a transparent, inclusive and collaborative public process to create a stronger plan for the Darby. We’ve learned and listened together, in close partnership with Columbus City Council.

Guided by our shared priorities, the draft Amendment creates more open space, protects clean water and biodiversity, and supports the sustainable, affordable housing our region desperately needs.

To further test these protections, some jurisdictions have expressed interest in reviewing additional analysis from ODNR, which is expected this fall. This pause will create space to review that additional information and proceed with confidence, as partners, ultimately demonstrating that this is the best plan for Franklin County.

Mayor Ginther and the City of Columbus remain committed to the Accord and to advancing a final amendment that protects what makes the Big Darby watershed special, today and for generations to come. We will continue to work closely with our Accord jurisdictions and Columbus City Council, just as we have for the last 18 months.

Today, we introduced nearly $3 million in local funding to strengthen housing stability for Columbus families, preventing evictions and homelessness. This investment supports our community through four key areas:

🏠 Continuing the Resilient Housing Initiative with partners like Jewish Family Services to help more families stay housed.
⚖️ Legal representation for tenants facing eviction, so everyone gets a fair shot in court.
🤝 Mediation services to resolve landlord-tenant disputes before they escalate.
👪 Safe options and a clear path back to stability for residents displaced from unsafe housing. Columbus Department of Development Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio - LASCO

LEARN MORE ▶️ https://bit.ly/4tyleXw

$10,000 for 10 small businesses in Columbus, Ohio.

The Power of One grant provides small businesses with storefront remodels, all at a very low cost to business owners.

Get benches, paint, awnings and more at a tenth of the normal cost. Apply today or check out last year’s winners at power1cbus.org


Neighborhood Design Center

Tell the City of Columbus about your housing experience and access to opportunity!

The City of Columbus is conducting its Fair Housing Assessment. This process evaluates barriers to housing choice and helps guide how federal housing funds are invested to expand access and opportunity across neighborhoods.

This work supports and strengthens Mayor Ginther’s broader housing strategy, including investments in housing stability, affordability and neighborhood vitality.

Take our Fair Housing Assessment Survey by May 1 to share your views and experiences about topics including housing choice, access to job centers and neighborhood opportunities and how they impact your household.

Find the survey at the link in the comments below.

Neighborhood Design Center