Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and City of Columbus Seeking proposals for Regional Housing Study
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the
City of Columbus today announced that they are seeking proposals for a regional
housing strategy as part of an overall strategy to deal with the shortage of
affordable housing.
The scope of the Request for Proposals (RFP) will include
assessing the state of the housing market and affordability in the region;
reviewing and analyzing current availability of public and private dollars to
support affordable housing development; identifying data gaps necessary to
develop regional recommendations; and identifying structural impediments to
housing developments. The study will also include developing a housing strategy
for the region that includes investment and policy recommendations for
communities to support mixed income neighborhoods and regional growth.
“We are at a critical moment in the city’s trajectory,
facing a shortage of affordable housing at the same time our economy and
population are continuing to grow,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “We are
looking for effective and strategic plans, not just for Columbus but for the
region, that will ensure residents will be able to remain in their
neighborhoods without stifling growth and development.”
“The City of Columbus is committed to addressing the
affordable housing crisis head on,” said Columbus City Councilmember Shayla
Favor. “Earmarking dollars to affordable housing is a great start. However, if
we’re truly going to make a difference, we must create a plan that will not
only address our housing needs but provide opportunities for development and
investment in our communities.”
One of the fundamental elements of the plan will be
recommendations on how to most effectively spend public and private dollars for
affordable housing, including funds generated by the City’s upcoming $50
million housing bond package. The housing plan will build on the work of
the Affordable Housing Alliance, Franklin County’s poverty and economic
development work, Building Industry Association of Central Ohio Housing Need
Assessment, and the City’s 2018 Incentives Study. More than 40,000 people
moved into Columbus last year, but studies have shown that the city is already
short 54,000 units of affordable housing.
“This regional housing strategy will complement much of the
work MORPC already performs related to land use and development, as well as our
home weatherization and home repair services,” MORPC Executive Director William
Murdock said. “As Central Ohio grows, confronting our housing challenges
becomes increasingly important. That’s why we’re especially eager for the
region to chart a path forward on this issue.”
More information about the RFP can be found here. The deadline is May 6, 2019.