Please Note: We're starting an hour earlier than originally planned.

Join COHHIO’s next biweekly advocacy webinar Tuesday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m. to get the latest on state and federal policy and an update on the fight to save the Ohio Housing Trust Fund.

Register

The House's version of the biennial budget would effectively eliminate the OHTF, the primary source of state funding for local homelessness and affordable housing programs. But there's still time to stand up for OHTF as the budget moves to the Ohio Senate.

Join COHHIO's Advocacy Team for a 30-minute policy update and get the latest on efforts to defend the OHTF, and developments at the federal level.

The COHHIO Team

Did you know that all local educational agencies are required to reserve a portion of their Title I Part A funds to serve students experiencing homelessness? These funds can be used in many ways, including to support the salary of the school district liaison or other homeless education positions, defray the cost of transportation (including by providing gas cards and limited car repairs), store cards, supplies, and more. Bring your questions and innovative examples!

Who should attend: Homeless education liaisons, state McKinney-Vento coordinators, state and local Title I administrators, school budget/finance office staff, school board members, and others.

Presenters:

• Erin Patterson – Director of Education Initiatives, SchoolHouse Connection

• Dr. Patricia Popp – Virginia Education for Homeless Children & Youth Coordinator

• Lisa Ann H. Abernathey – Education Specialist, McKinney-Vento, Henrico County Public Schools, Virginia

• Andrea Leon Foster – Director of Federal Programs, Sunnyside Unified School District

• Aracelli Mendoza – Program Specialist, Federal Programs, Sunnyside Unified School District

Join us for an evening of socializing with friends interrupted by a Q&A with Hanif and an introduction into the work Families Flourish does in Central Ohio - including appetizers, a cash bar, and a book table with Two Dollar Radio. We're excited to have you join our conversation!

Join us as we celebrate Judge John Hoffman, Jr. and his remarkable contributions to Legal Aid's Bankruptcy Program as he approaches retirement. This special evening will feature a heartfelt tribute in his honor.

Tickets: $50 per person | Auction and proceeds to benefit Legal Aid's Bankruptcy Program 

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Judge Hoffman and support a vital cause. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025Time: 12:15 pm ET

Location: Virtual

Speaker(s): Don Layton, Chris Herbert

There is one high-stakes question dominating US housing finance today: will Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) which have long been the backbone of America’s mortgage markets, exit conservatorship? Conservatorship is an obscure legal status where the government controls the companies instead of their stockholders and, if Fannie and Freddie exit, what could that mean for the mortgage market, taxpayers, and homebuyers?

Don Layton, former CEO of Freddie Mac and former Senior Industry Fellow at the Center, and JCHS Managing Director Chris Herbert will walk through how we got here, why the GSEs have long faced an identity crisis, and what’s at stake in the push to privatize that, if done poorly, could make mortgages much more expensive and much less readily available.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Co-sponsored by the Building Caucus at Harvard Kennedy School and the Infrastructure & Housing Club at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

The OHTF is a cornerstone of housing stability and community development in Ohio — and right now, it’s at risk. This webinar will help participants understand why the Trust Fund is so essential, what changes could mean for the field, and what we can all do to advocate for its protection.

Council President Shannon Hardin and Council Pro Tem Rob Dorans, Chair of the Zoning Committee, will host a public hearing to review proposed zoning map and code updates along the SR-161 corridor in Northland. The hearing will also include an overview of community feedback received from the ongoing 60-day public comment period.

To submit written testimony or sign up to speak, email Kevin McCain at kbmccain@columbus.gov by 3 p.m. on April 14.

Additionally, Residents are encouraged to visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate to review the proposed changes and submit feedback before the comment period ends on Saturday, May 10. 

2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan

Public Hearing

Monday, April 14th at 10:00 am

Michael J. Dorrian Building
Commissioners Hearing Room

369 South High Street,
Columbus OH 43215

Please join us to learn about the Franklin County Five-Year Consolidated Plan and help determine the County's priority needs for the next five years. Participants will be asked to identify the most urgent housing, homelessness, and community development needs for the Franklin County community.

Questions? Contact us at communitydevelopment@franklincountyohio.gov

If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Franklin County Community Development team, you can update your subscription preferences at the link below. 

Navigating the local, state and federal political landscape can be confusing and intimidating. However, advocacy efforts are necessary in order to push forward policies and legislation that promote positive change and innovation to addressing homelessness in communities across the country. Some may not share the same viewpoints of how America ends homelessness. Lawmakers frequently hear from several constituents and special interest groups daily. Everyone wants their time and attention. How can advocates supporting housing justice stand out? What are some ways to provide accurate yet compelling information to lawmakers? In this virtual conversation, hear from experts across the country on proven methods for educating lawmakers that nurtures trust, long-standing relationships and open dialogue.

At least 40 million American households—including half of all renters—spend more on housing than they can afford. Many lower-income renters are just scraping by, often sacrificing necessities like food and healthcare to pay the rent. And the number who are homeless is surging: 770,000 people, according to a 2024 count, many of whom have jobs but still can’t afford housing. Join Marcia Fudge, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as she talks with Howard Koh, chair of Harvard Chan School’s Initiative on Health and Homelessness, about the forces driving the housing crisis and ways to make housing more affordable. 

Urban environments today face outdated infrastructure, unequal resource distribution, and unsustainable practices, limiting community growth and well-being. This presentation introduces the PLACE framework—People-Centered Design, Localized Intelligence, Accessibility and Equity, Connected Systems, and Environmental Sustainability—as a transformative solution powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing from nearly two decades of experience, our presenter will demonstrate how AI-driven insights and affordable technology can enhance placemaking efforts, ensuring sustainable and equitable urban development. Attendees will learn how to implement AI-integrated PLACE initiatives in their own communities, understand the financial and logistical considerations, and commit to collaborative efforts that drive meaningful change. By the end of this session, delegates will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to leverage AI within the PLACE framework, fostering smarter and more inclusive cities. ?

The House added language to the biennial budget this week that would effectively eliminate the Ohio Housing Trust Fund. Join COHHIO's advocacy team to learn how you can help protect the's primary source of state funding for homelessness and affordable housing programs.

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York will host a webinar on city and state policies that encourage the development and rehabilitation of affordable apartments. The webinar will feature housing professionals from small cities and towns in the Federal Reserve’s Second District, which is comprised of New York, Northern New Jersey, Southwestern Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Speakers will discuss opportunities and barriers to new development and preservation; and local policies that facilitate the development and preservation of affordable apartments.

This event will be of interest to leaders in state and local government, academia, research, community development, philanthropy, and businesses.

The deadline to register for "Developing and Rehabilitating Affordable Apartments: Exploring Local Policies and Approaches" is fast approaching. 

Please join the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, for a webinar on city and state policies that encourage the development and rehabilitation of affordable apartments. The webinar will feature housing professionals from small cities and towns in the Federal Reserve’s Second District, which is comprised of New York, Northern New Jersey, Southwestern Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Speakers will discuss opportunities and barriers to new development and preservation; and local policies that facilitate the development and preservation of affordable apartments.

This event will be of interest to leaders in state and local government, academia, research, community development, philanthropy, and businesses.

Whether you want to simply better understand the homebuying process, interested in learning about the different types of loans you qualify for, learn about the programs available to you to help with downpayment and closing cost assistance,  or you are already currently on the market to buy a home, OMBA and our partners are here to help you along each step of the way.

OMBA is providing a homebuyer education and counseling summit to residents seeking information on what it takes to achieve the dream of homeownership.  This event is designed to provide potential first-time homebuyers with a clear understanding of the ins and outs of the homebuying process and to connect you to the industry experts to answer your questions.  No matter where you are to cracking the code to homeownership, we have industry expert to help you navigate the journey to your future nest.

You will be leaving with a strong understanding of the benefits and the responsibilities of homeownership:

• Understanding credit scores and reports, with soft credit pulls available and counselors to guide you forward

• Budgeting for homeownership and home maintenance

• Mortgage basics

• Different types of mortgage loans and the process

• Down payment and closing costs assistance

• Home search and the Purchase process

• Community and neighborhood resources and services – and how to find them

These sessions will be followed by time to meet with these experts who are ready to answer your questions!  You will get a chance to talk with real estate professionals, mortgage loan officers, housing and credit counselors, community organizations ready to help you, and more you are ready to help you find the egg in the nest that could become your future home.

Following the summit, we will provide you and your family vouchers to enjoy COSI at a later date – all compliments of OMBA and our sponsors!!!

Click here to Register online or Download our PDF Flyer

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025Time: 6:30 pm ET

Location: Piper Auditorium, Harvard Graduate School of Design and Online

This event will also be livestreamed; advance registration is not required.

Speaker(s): Peter Barber

Peter Barber is the founder of Peter Barber Architects, an award-winning practice based in London known for its radical approach to social housing and urban planning. He and his firm have won the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Neave Brown Award for Housing and the Royal Academy’s Grand Prize for Housing. In 2022, he received the Soane Medal, which recognizes architects, educators, and critics who have enriched the public understanding of architecture. He was also awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for his services to architecture.

In the 24th Annual John T. Dunlop Lecture, Barber will highlight some of the firm’s award-winning social housing projects, such as Donnybrook Quarter, a 40-unit, high-density, low-rise, mixed-use project near Victoria Park in London and Edgewood Mews, a 97-unit urban block arranged around a pedestrianized street near the North Circular Road in Barnet. He will review the political and ideological context in which these and other projects were conceived, and describe his firm’s analog design process, which makes extensive use of hand sketches and hand-made models.

The John T. Dunlop Lecture honors a labor economist who played a central role in the creation of our Center. A longtime member of the Harvard faculty, Dunlop was dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences from 1969 to 1973, served as US Secretary of Labor in the Ford administration, and worked for every US president from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. He was also a mediator in numerous labor-management disputes, where he was known for developing innovative, multi-party agreements.

The working homeless. In a country where hard work and determination are supposed to lead to success, there is something scandalous about this phrase. But skyrocketing rents, low wages, and a lack of tenant rights have produced a startling phenomenon: People with full-time jobs cannot keep a roof over their head, especially in America’s booming cities, where rapid growth is leading to catastrophic displacement. These families are being forced into homelessness not by a failing economy but a thriving one.

In this gripping and deeply reported book, Brian Goldstone plunges readers into the lives of five Atlanta families struggling to remain housed in a gentrifying, increasingly unequal city.

Through intimate, novelistic portraits, Goldstone reveals the human cost of this crisis, following parents and their kids as they go to sleep in cars, or in squalid extended-stay hotel rooms, and head out to their jobs and schools the next morning. These are the nation’s hidden homeless—omitted from official statistics, and proof that overflowing shelters and street encampments are only the most visible manifestation of a far more pervasive problem.

By turns heartbreaking and urgent, There Is No Place for Us illuminates the true magnitude, causes, and consequences of the new American homelessness—and shows that it won’t be solved until housing is treated as a fundamental human right.

Join the New America Fellows, Political Reform, and Future of Land and Housing programs for a conversation with 2019 New America Fellow Reuben Jonathan Miller and 2021 New America Fellow Brian Goldstone for a conversation about There Is No Place for Us.

Speakers:
Brian Goldstone
2021 New America Fellow
Author, There Is No Place for Us

Reuben Jonathan Miller
2019 New America Fellow 

Author, Halfway Home

For 40 years, YWCA Columbus has proudly celebrated extraordinary leaders who embody the essence of women’s empowerment. These individuals transform their professions, uplift their communities, challenge inequities, and inspire generations to fight for a more just and equitable future. This milestone anniversary marks four decades of honoring the courage, compassion, and dedication of those driving meaningful change in our Columbus community and beyond.

YWCA Columbus is excited to honor the following leaders for the 40th Women of Achievement celebration. This year’s luncheon will be at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in the Battelle Grand Ballroom on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Attend in-person or virtually!

In recent years, investor ownership of single-family rental homes has garnered national attention from the media and in Congress. While private investment in this sector can expand access to high-opportunity neighborhoods and preserve housing supply, it also raises concerns about affordability and the impact on renters and potential homeowners.

Join BPC and a panel of industry experts to explore the state of the single-family rental market and the role that institutional investment is playing in this space.

Speakers include:

• Laurie Goodman | Institute Fellow, Housing Finance Policy Center, Urban Institute

• Alexander Hermann | Senior Research Associate, Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University

• Don Mullen | Founder and CEO, Pretium

• Dennis Shea | Executive Director, J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, Bipartisan Policy Center (moderator)

Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority presents Toby Rittner from the Council of Development Finance Agencies

We are holding our next Homebuyer Seminar with our partner Columbus NOW Foundation. This session aims to provide credit and financial education; inform prospective borrowers of our products and services; and to encourage them on the path to homeownership.

March 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Discover: 4590 East Broad Street, Columbus

Light refreshments will be provided along with door prizes* for attendees.

Please share our flyers with anyone you think may be interested and want to attend:

AGENDA

S. B. No. 145, Reynolds, Craig

Rename the Department of Development; modify the housing law (1st Hearing, Sponsor)

Presentation: Cleveland Neighborhood Progress- Middle Neighborhoods Initiative

What is comprehensive community development and how can it help strengthen the communities you serve? Join us for an introduction to the comprehensive community development framework and how it can help address barriers to stable housing, build broad participation of residents, and increase community investment. We’ll also share examples of the work in action to inspire you with solutions.

Are you a bureaucrat on the rebound? A SME ready for a new adventure? A rising star who got RIF’ed? Sounds like it’s time for your NEXT BIG THING! On March 21st, bring your resume and mingle with the hiring and HR teams from the region’s best nonprofits and mission-driven orgs. Whether you specialize in housing, security, technology, or (gasp!) DEI, Central OH needs your expertise.

When: March 21, 2025 from 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Where: Community Impact Center, Lower Level, 215 North Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Hosts: Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio & the Human Services Chamber of Franklin County

Participating Employers Include:

• Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

• Community Shelter Board

• Fairfield Homes

• Franklinton Development Association

• Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio

• Home for Families

• Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing

• United Way of Central Ohio

• Wallick Communities

• Wynn Developers

• YWCA Columbus

Vibes: Chill. Come as you are.

Food: Yes!

MORPC’s 2025 State of the Region will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown.

The State of the Region is one of Central Ohio’s most significant events of the year. During the State of the Region, we highlight community accomplishments and showcase upcoming plans for leading our region into the future. It is attended by the region’s top political, business, and civic leaders as the year’s premier event.

MORPC's State of the Region is unique and significant in bringing together our region and state’s top political, business and civic leaders to celebrate our community’s accomplishments and address challenges.

Date: Friday, March 21, 2025

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Where: Hilton Columbus Downtown

Agenda:

11:00 a.m. - Networking

11:30 a.m. - Doors Open and Program Begins

1:00 p.m. - Closing remarks

INVOICING: To select to pay by invoice, click "Show other payment options" beneath the green "Order Now" button and then click "Pay Offline". Payment is due within 30 days after receiving the invoice or prior to the event.

Please make checks payable to: Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and mail to: MORPC State of the Region111 Liberty Street, Ste. 100 Columbus, OH 43215

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: No refunds will be processed after March 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. After this time, ticket purchases are not refundable, but you may designate a substitute guest by contacting Amanda McEldowney at amceldowney@morpc.org.

The US remodeling market soared above $600 billion in the wake of the pandemic and, despite recent softening, remains 50 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The extraordinary strength of the market has been supported by the aging of homes and households, as well as record-high property values. Nonetheless, industry fragmentation, inflation, and a shortage of skilled trade labor jeopardize the ability of the industry to meet demand. Overcoming these obstacles will be critical for modernizing and preserving the existing housing stock including addressing basic adequacy and accessibility needs. At the same time, far more investment is required to improve energy efficiency and disaster resiliency for the nation’s 145 million homes.

You're
Invited

Webinar: Home Matters to Ohio

Statewide policies to increase and incentivize housing supply in Ohio

Like many states, Ohio is unable to meet the demand for affordable and diverse housing options that are needed throughout the state. This challenge impacts every region of the state.

Join Home Matters to Ohio, a broad coalition of affordable housing advocates, and business and industry leaders, as we present a platform of state policy priorities that are realistic, well-researched, and data driven and intended to help ensure Ohioans have a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.

This webinar will provide a deep dive into several bills that have been introduced as part of the general assembly, how they would operate if passed into law, and where there are opportunities to advocate. 

DATE: March 20, 2025
TIME: 9:00 – 10:00 am EST
LOCATION: Virtual

Register Here

We hope participants will come with questions. Secure your spot and submit your questions in advance through our Zoom registration page. This will help us better tailor the session and ensure a robust panel discussion.

Webinar Highlights:

• Overview of the 136th Ohio General Assembly

• Deep dive into the Ohio Low Income Housing Tax Credit (OLIHTC), Welcome Home Ohio Program (WHO), Ohio’s Single Family Housing Tax Credit Program (SFHTC), the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF) and any pending state bills that impact these programs

• Panel discussion followed by participant Q&A

• Opportunities for advocacy 

Speakers:

• Moderator: Hazel Remesch, Ohio State and Local Policy Director, Enterprise Community Partners

• Shawn Carvin, Executive Director, Ohio Landbank Association

• Ryan Gleason, Executive Director, Ohio Housing Council

• Torey Hollingsworth, Executive Director, OHIO CDC Association

• Amy Riegel, Executive Director, COHHIO  

• Gina Wilt, Advocacy Director, COHHIO

About the Coalition

Home Matters to Ohio calls upon the state to facilitate the development and preservation of a range of housing options for Ohio, outlining 11 policy proposals along 4 policy goals that will support and provide incentives to increase the supply of affordable housing in Ohio.

Coalition organizers include:

• Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO)

• Enterprise Community Partners

• Habitat for Humanity of Ohio

• LISC

• NeighborWorks Collaborative of Ohio

• Ohio Chamber of Commerce

• Ohio CDC Association

• Ohio Housing Council

• Ohio Landbank Association

For any questions, please contact Hazel Remesch – hremesch@enterprisecommunity.org 

Like many states, Ohio is unable to meet the demand for affordable and diverse housing options that are needed throughout the state. This challenge impacts every region of the state.

Join Home Matters to Ohio, a broad coalition of affordable housing advocates, and business and industry leaders, as we present a platform of state policy priorities that are realistic, well-researched, and data driven and intended to help ensure Ohioans have a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.

This webinar will provide a deep dive into several bills that have been introduced as part of the general assembly, how they would operate if passed into law, and where there are opportunities to advocate. 

DATE: March 20, 2025
TIME: 9:00 – 10:00 am EST
LOCATION: Virtual

We hope participants will come with questions. Secure your spot and submit your questions in advance through our Zoom registration page. This will help us better tailor the session and ensure a robust panel discussion.

Webinar Highlights:

• Overview of the 136th Ohio General Assembly

• Deep dive into the Ohio Low Income Housing Tax Credit (OLIHTC), Welcome Home Ohio Program (WHO), Ohio’s Single Family Housing Tax Credit Program (SFHTC), the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF) and any pending state bills that impact these programs

• Panel discussion followed by participant Q&A

• Opportunities for advocacy 

Speakers:

• Moderator: Hazel Remesch, Ohio State and Local Policy Director, Enterprise Community Partners

• Shawn Carvin, Executive Director, Ohio Landbank Association

• Ryan Gleason, Executive Director, Ohio Housing Council

• Torey Hollingsworth, Executive Director, OHIO CDC Association

• Amy Riegel, Executive Director, COHHIO  

• Gina Wilt, Advocacy Director, COHHIO