Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus | City of Columbus website
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus | City of Columbus website
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has introduced legislation to the Columbus City Council to establish a new Division of Housing Stability within the Department of Development. This move is part of the housing strategy detailed in his 2025 State of the City address.
The proposed legislation includes an allocation of $525,000 for staffing and resources for this division. It aims to hire an administrator and support staff focused on tenant engagement, eviction prevention, and enforcement of fair housing policies. This initiative follows a recent $1.475 million grant agreement with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, which aims to provide legal counsel for low-income tenants with minors in Eviction Court.
“As Columbus grows and our region’s housing supply crisis continues to drive up housing costs in neighborhoods across our city, we must do more to protect the stability and dignity of all of our neighbors – and we are,” said Mayor Ginther. “Creating the Division of Housing Stability allows us to intervene earlier, strengthen tenant protections and make sure that help, guidance and resources are available before families face the risk of losing their homes.”
The new division will implement proactive measures aimed at promoting housing stability throughout Columbus.
“We know that the best way to prevent homelessness is to help families stay housed,” said Michael Stevens, director of the Department of Development. “By standing up the Division of Housing Stability, we are building a lasting infrastructure that connects tenants with resources, strengthens accountability, and fosters more prosperous and secure neighborhoods across our city.”
Council President Shannon Hardin shared personal insights: “When a family member faced eviction last year, it was a Legal Aid attorney who helped her know her rights and navigate resources to avoid homelessness. So I’ve seen firsthand the tenant protections and programs passed by Council can produce stability to families” he said. “The new Division of Housing Stability will bring more dedicated staff and resources to ensure these protections reach working families across our community."
This development forms part of Columbus's broader strategy since 2019 aimed at increasing housing affordability through various initiatives such as issuing over 31,000 residential building permits. The efforts have resulted in over 6,800 new affordable housing units via affordable housing bond dollars and expanding Community Reinvestment Area programs.
Columbus has also worked on preventing homelessness through targeted programs like distributing over $92 million in Emergency Rental Assistance benefiting nearly 30,000 households.
Legislation codifying this new division will be presented for its first reading at City Council's meeting on May 19.
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