Central Ohio could add 40,000 jobs annually, graduate more children from high school and increase life expectancies by closing its housing gap

A new report shows that if Central Ohio were able to close its housing gap, 40,000 jobs would be added annually, 600 additional children would graduate high school and the region would add 25,000 people to its middle class.

The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio Tuesday released research showing that about 80,000 Central Ohio residents are paying more than half their income for housing. If the 15-county region does nothing, 20,000 people will be added to that figure by 2040.

"We have two very clear paths," said Carlie Boos, executive director of AHACO. "We can do nothing, or we can act."