The city of Columbus continues to use federal funds to accommodate low-income residents

Courtesy of Ohio News Time
By Dustan Tomlinson
August 27, 2021

City officials announced on Tuesday that more than 20 community organizations in Columbus will receive a total of $ 12.2 million in rental assistance funds to help residents struggling to buy homes.

Mayor Andrew Ginther said the new Federal Pandemic Relief Fund will be available to Columbus residents who do not receive emergency rental assistance.

Taking into account resources from cities, counties and states, more than 14,400 Central Ohio lessors receive a total of more than $ 33 million in rental assistance.

“Our community has moved swiftly to distribute an unprecedented amount of rental assistance during a pandemic, keeping thousands of neighbors in their homes,” Ginther said in a statement. “But some of the most affected populations of COVID-19, including new Americans, the elderly, people with disabilities, transitional youth, and other vulnerable people, have this funding and its access. Some people haven’t heard how to do it yet. ”

The city is experiencing an affordable housing crisis, Proponents told us.. Recently, Ohio reported that there were 213,000 people who couldn’t pay their rent in July.

“The new funding will give all Columbus residents access to the resources they need to stay in safe and stable homes after the pandemic,” Ginther said.

The funds will be sent to 26 organizations and will receive $ 1 million, the largest award of LSS Choices for victims of domestic violence.

Other funded organizations include the Broad Street Presbyterian Church, which received $ 873,570 to serve the elderly, disabled, migrants, and refugees.

The Physicians Care Connection has received $ 850,000 to serve families living in the 43228 zip code on the west side of the city.

Both Jewish family services, which serve the elderly, migrants and refugees, and Starhouse, which serves young people experiencing homelessness, will raise $ 650,000.

In a statement, councilor Shayla Favor said the money was “in an ongoing effort to reach out and protect the most vulnerable of us as we continue to fight the cliffs of the looming peasant eviction.” He said he would support the city and its partners.

“I urge the landlord community to work with nonprofit partners to access these unprecedented resources to help provide stability and peace of mind during these difficult times,” Favor said. Mr. says.

Other resources related to rental funding are also available through the Columbus Urban League and Impact Community Actions.

Here is a complete overview of the funded groups:

$ 1 Million: LSS Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence
$ 800,000- $ 899,000: Broad Street Presbyterian Church, Physicians Care Connection
$ 650,000: Jewish Family Service, Star House
$ 500,000: Catholic Social Services Inc., Columbus Urban League, Equitas Health, Lifecare Alliance, Somali Community Association of Ohio, Somali Community Link Inc., The Homeless Families Connection, YMCA of Central Ohio
$ 400,000- $ 499,000: Columbus Literacy Council, Central Community House, Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, Gladden Community House, North Community Counselling Centers Inc.
$ 300,000- $ 399,000: St. Stephens Community House, Homes on the Hill, Community Development for All, Kaleidoscope Youth Center
$ 200,000- $ 299,000: Neighborhood Services Inc., our helpers
$ 100,000- $ 199,000: Us Together Inc., Ohio Islamic Family Services

The city of Columbus continues to use federal funds to accommodate low-income residents.