Council Strengthens Senior Housing Stabilization
Payment
Assistance Aims To Bridge The Gap For At-Risk Older Residents
[COLUMBUS – OH] Columbus is taking yet another step to support older adults
aging within the comforts of their own homes. In coordination with the Central
Ohio Area Agency on Aging and Age-Friendly Columbus, Columbus City Council will
fund nearly $20,000 in grants in an effort to reduce eviction, displacement and
homelessness for residents 50 and older.
The funding will support grants that directly impact older
resident needs such as a missed rent or mortgage, rent or utility deposit,
housing violations, moving expenses, or other hardships related to maintaining
safe housing and avoiding displacement.
“We heard many of these concerns and challenges from older
adults in our community during our Housing Stabilization Roundtables,” said
Council President Pro Tem Stinziano.
The focus of the program is diversion and prevention; to keep
older adults out of shelters and keep them from reaching a housing crisis.
Eligible Columbus residents must be 50 and older.
“For many of our older adults, missing a monthly rent or
mortgage payment is only one unexpected expense away. Living on extremely tight
budgets, paying more than 30% of their monthly income on housing and having to
prioritize bills each month is a reality for many in our community,” he
continued.
The funds are expected to directly impact the needs of
residents. The experts at COAAA will utilize the funds only as needed,
stretching it as far as it can go by pairing it with other resources and
supports in the community and empowering sustainable solutions.