Housing Services Department
The Housing Services Department is a HUD certified counseling agency that has also met the National Industry Standards Code of Ethics and Conduct for Homeownership Professionals
614-257-6300, Extension 300
All Housing Services Counseling Are FREE
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (walk in for Landlord Tenant until 3:30 p.m.)
Saturday Courses are Available
Housing Discrimination Resolutions
Investigate illegal housing discrimination complaints while providing counseling and supportive services to complainants, until case resolution.
Seek redress through mediation, referrals, voluntary compliance or legal actions. Conduct affirmative marketing monitoring of housing providers, to verify provision of equal housing opportunity.
Landlord-Tenant Mediation
Provide educational information and material to landlords and tenants regarding their rights and responsibilities under Ohio laws.
Provide intervention, mediation and supportive service for conflict resolution, with the goal of preventing homelessness
Foreclosure Prevention and Retention Counseling
Counsels homeowners in understanding the foreclosure process and understanding options that may be available to avoid foreclosure
Works with homeowners and their servicers in facilitating loan modifications and workouts
Counseling and assisting existing homeowners to maintain their homes
Homebuyer Education/Housing Counseling Program
Provides an (8) hour HUD certified home buyer education and financial literacy program
Facilitates one to one counseling sessions with credit and budget counseling
Advocacy and networking activities with housing groups, financial institutions, housing providers and others involved in the housing industry
Housing Services Department Information
BULLETIN BOARD:
This is a list of private landlords and/or management agencies that contacts the Housing Department to add their property on our “Bulletin Board” list. Being on the list is not an endorsement. We advise all prospective tenants to review our TENANTS TIPS sheet thoroughly when looking for housing. You will need to contact the landlord for all information on availability and terms of occupancy.
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING:
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) has public housing and government (through HUD) subsidized apartment complexes but may have long wait lists. We recommend that you apply in order to be added to the wait list at each site. CMHA's Phone Number: 614-421-6000.
COLUMBUS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP'S HOUSING
Columbus Housing Partnership develops multi-family (tax credit) and home ownership opportunities. Columbus Housing Partnership has over two thousand rental units and may accept CMHA Vouchers. A tax credit does not mean subsidized and you will need to “financially qualify” for their housing. List of these properties are located at the Columbus Urban League's Housing Department.
EMERGENCY HOUSING:
Unfortunately, there is NO emergency housing other than homeless shelters which has space on a first come, first serve basis.
DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:
Down payment to purchase a home between $3,000 - $5,000 may be available to first time home buyers who incomes qualify with as little as $500 down. Money may be available through the City of Columbus or the State of Ohio. Lean more in the Columbus Urban League's Home Buyer Education course.
COLUMBUS URBAN LEAGUE'S HOME BUYER EDUCATION COURSE:
This is an eight hour education course that is to prepare you to become a homeowner. Upon completion of the course participants will receive a certificate of completion which is required for down payment assistance programs. Call Housing Services Department – 614-257-6300, ext. 300.