News
The City of Columbus has awarded millions in COVID-19 rental assistance to help keep vulnerable residents in their homes.
Courtesy of The Columbus Navigator
August 26, 2021
26 community organizations received a total of $12.2 million to fund rental assistance, supportive services and targeted outreach to hard-to-reach Columbus residents. The funds come from the Stable Housing Initiative fund. Over 14,400 central Ohio renters have received more than $33 million in COVID-19 rental assistance from the city, county, and state since the start of the pandemic.
By working with local nonprofits, the city is able to reach vulnerable residents and at-risk populations by distributing assistance through organizations that they know and trust.
“Our community has moved swiftly to distribute an unprecedented amount of rental assistance during the pandemic, keeping thousands of our neighbors in their homes. Yet some residents hardest hit by COVID-19, including new Americans, seniors, individuals with disabilities, youth in transition and other vulnerable populations have yet to hear that this funding exists, or how to access it.” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Through this initiative, and partnerships with community organizations, Columbus City Council and the courts, we will ensure that all Columbus residents have access to the resources they need to remain in safe, stable housing during the pandemic and beyond.”
Organizations awarded funding through the Stable Housing Initiative are:
LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence: Victims of domestic violence, including those in the refugee and immigrant communities
$1,000,000
Broad Street Presbyterian Church: Seniors, individuals with disabilities and immigrants and refugees
$873,570
Physicians CareConnection: Families residing in the 43228 ZIP code
$850,000
Jewish Family Services: Seniors and immigrants and refugees
$650,000
Star House: Youth ages 18 to 24 years old experiencing homelessness
$650,000
Catholic Social Services Inc.: Immigrant Hispanic population, seniors and youth ages 18- to 24 years old
$500,000
Columbus Urban League: Black, female-led households
$500,000
Equitas Health: LGBTQ+ community
$500,000
Lifecare Alliance: Seniors and individuals with disabilities
$500,000
Somali Community Association Of Ohio: Immigrants and refugees, youth, individuals with disabilities and seniors
$500,000
Somali Community Link Inc.: Immigrant and refugee households
$500,000
The Homeless Families Foundation: Pregnant women who are homeless or imminently at risk of becoming homeless
$500,000
YMCA of Central Ohio: Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees
$500,000
Columbus Literacy Council: Immigrants and refugees
$425,000
Central Community House: Seniors and youth ages 18 to 24 years old
$400,000
Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center: Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees
$400,000
Gladden Community House: Very low income households from Franklinton and near west side
$400,000
North Community Counseling Centers Inc.: Seniors, youth, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees
$400,000
St. Stephen’s Community House: Very low income households from Linden and northeast Columbus
$360,000
Homes On The Hill Community Development Corporation: Seniors and immigrants and refugees
$350,000
Community Development For All People: People who are unemployed or have been underemployed for an extended period of time
$335,000
Kaleidoscope Youth Center: Youth ages 18 to 24 years old who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or an LGBTQIA+ person of color
$335,000
Neighborhood Services Inc.: Seniors, individuals with disabilities and immigrants and refugees
$280,000
Our Helpers: Immigrants and refugees
$211,312
Us Together Inc.: Immigrant and refugee households; victims of gender-based violence who are refugees and immigrants
$171,430
Muslim Family Services Of Ohio: Immigrant refugees
$120,000
“The Stable Housing Initiative will assist the City of Columbus and our partners in a continued effort to reach and protect the most vulnerable among us as we continue to fight against the looming eviction cliff,” said Councilmember Favor. “I urge our landlord community to work with our nonprofit partners to gain access to these unprecedented resources that will help provide stability and reassurance during these difficult times.”
Funds awarded through the Stable Housing Initiative will help renters by supplementing rental assistance that’s already available. Additionally, federal funding that was awarded to the city is available to eligible renters through IMPACT Community Action and the Columbus Urban League.
$10 million of the funding has been made available to the local agencies already and $2.2 million in funding will be legislated when City Council reconvenes.
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