Council Designates $100,000 for Residents Struggling to Address Needed Home Repairs

Council partners with City Attorney’s Office and Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio to make repairs for low-income Columbus residents

[COLUMBUS-OH] On Monday, March 1, 2021, Columbus City Council passed its 2021 operating budget, which included $100,000 secured by Councilmember Shayla Favor and City Attorney Zach Klein to help low-income residents struggling to remedy city housing violations. The City will partner with Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio to award grants and make exterior repairs at eligible homes across Columbus.

“A major pillar of Council’s budget is delivering high-quality neighborhood services to all residents,” said Favor. “This grant program, brought to me by City Attorney Klein, is a common-sense initiative that reflects our commitment to supporting Columbus families and keeping people safe.”

“I’m grateful to Council, especially Councilmember Favor, for approving this funding, which will allow us to make modest repairs to low-income residents’ homes,” said Klein. “At a time when so many are facing housing uncertainty, this funding will not only bring properties up to code, but it will keep seniors and families safe in their homes. This is a good investment in our community.”

Staff from the City Attorney’s Owner-Occupied Initiative will work one-on-one with defendants, many of whom are 65 and older, to determine eligibility, award grant money and connect qualifying homeowners with Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. Habitat MidOhio will make repairs needed to bring residents back into compliance with city code. Eligible homeowners must have pending housing code violations and financial limitations preventing them from making necessary repairs.

“Habitat MidOhio already has a robust home repair program in place and our professionals are eager to assist Columbus homeowners who need help to keep themselves and their families safe,” said E. J. Thomas, President and CEO of Habitat MidOhio. “We are grateful to Council and City Attorney Klein for the opportunity to aid local families in need.”

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis. It is anticipated that the grant program will assist more than 20 local homeowners.

The City Attorney’s Owner-Occupied Initiative works with Columbus homeowners who have persistent housing code violations that pose safety risks to themselves and their neighbors. While working with the court to remedy housing violations, the City Attorney’s Office helps provide a holistic experience for residents and also connects them with legal aid, transportation and health care services.

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Contact:

City Council: Lee Cole, 614.288.4062, [email protected]

City Attorney’s Office: Meredith Tucker, 614.965.0203, [email protected] 

Habitat for Humanity -MidOhio: E. J. Thomas, 614.422.4828, [email protected]