Affordable Housing

The $1.9 billion in bonds will be put towards affordable housing, utilities, public safety, parks and more. Ads claim the bonds won't raise taxes, but advocates say that may not be completely accurate.

Mayor Andrew Ginther pitched the bond issue at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum Wednesday.

The historic 1922 building is in need of some major TLC after going decades without any major renovations.

Councilman Nick Bankston said a rental registry would give Columbus a better understanding of how many units are in the city and also keep landlords accountable.

The conference, hosted by Urban Land Institute Columbus, focused on the theme, "What Good is Growth If It’s Not for All?: Planning Columbus Today and Tomorrow."

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority tried privatization to save money. The program has cost more each year since and landlords are missing payments.

Columbus City Council members say they will be pursuing initiatives under the "Columbus Forward" umbrella as the city grows.

A recent report called “Out of Reach” by the National Low Income Housing Coalition showed that Columbus’ rent is too high. To afford a typical two-bedroom apartment, Columbus renters must earn nearly $28 an hour, while the average income is only $22 an hour.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library announced that it is selling the land north of the Shepard Branch to fund the construction of an affordable housing development by the non-profit Homeport.

Ohio lawmakers are taking some steps to deal with the problem but admit more needs to be done.