Mayor Ginther Submits Legislation to Establish New Housing Division
Published on May 15, 2025
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today submitted legislation to Columbus City Council to formally create the Division of Housing Stability within the Department of Development, advancing a major component of the housing strategy outlined in his 2025 State of the City address.
This legislation would allocate $525,000 for initial staffing and resources for the new Division, including hiring an administrator and support personnel focused on tenant engagement, eviction prevention and enforcement of the city’s fair housing policies. This action follows the city’s recent $1.475 million grant agreement with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to expand access to legal counsel for low-income tenants with minors in Eviction Court — ensuring those protections are effectively implemented through a dedicated city function.
“As Columbus grows and our region’s housing supply crisis continues to drive up housing costs in neighborhoods across our city, we must do more to protect the stability and dignity of all of our neighbors – and we are,” said Mayor Ginther. “Creating the Division of Housing Stability allows us to intervene earlier, strengthen tenant protections and make sure that help, guidance and resources are available before families face the risk of losing their homes.”
The Division will focus on proactive measures to promote housing stability across Columbus, including:
- Administering access to legal counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction,
- Enforcing the city’s Relocation Assistance Code to support tenants affected by emergency vacate orders,
- Strengthening enforcement of fair housing protections and supporting the investigation of housing discrimination complaints, and
- Expanding access to information on rent stabilization, eviction prevention programs and tenant resources.
“We know that the best way to prevent homelessness is to help families stay housed,” said Michael Stevens, director of the Department of Development. “By standing up the Division of Housing Stability, we are building a lasting infrastructure that connects tenants with resources, strengthens accountability, and fosters more prosperous and secure neighborhoods across our city.”
“When a family member faced eviction last year, it was a Legal Aid attorney who helped her know her rights and navigate resources to avoid homelessness. So I’ve seen firsthand the tenant protections and programs passed by Council can produce stability to families” said Council President Shannon Hardin. “The new Division of Housing Stability will bring more dedicated staff and resources to ensure these protections reach working families across our community."
This announcement represents the latest innovation in the city’s comprehensive strategy to increase housing affordability and stability throughout Columbus. Since 2019, the city has issued more than 31,000 residential building permits — a reflection of sustained efforts to increase overall housing supply. During that same period, more than 6,800 new income-qualified affordable housing units have been brought online through the deployment of voter-approved affordable housing bond dollars and the expansion of the city’s Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) program.
At the same time, the city has worked to prevent homelessness and reduce housing insecurity through targeted programs and services. These efforts include the distribution of more than $92 million in Emergency Rental Assistance for nearly 30,000 households, the development of 633 permanent-supportive housing units and coordinated work with the Central Ohio Stable Housing Network and Homelessness Prevention Network. The establishment of the Division of Housing Stability ensures that these commitments are reinforced through dedicated staffing, lasting policy tools and reliable, accessible services for Columbus residents.
Legislation codifying the Division of Housing Stability will go before City Council for a first reading at its May 19 meeting.