Columbus committee hears 2026 housing budget as providers seek more operating dollars

Summary

City officials and community partners told the Columbus City Council’s housing, homelessness and building committee that capital dollars and recent reforms have advanced housing goals but operating subsidies, staff capacity and prevention/diversion programs are needed to avoid rising homelessness and eviction rates; the Community Shelter Board asked the city for $14.3 million in additional funds.

Columbus City Council’s housing, homelessness and building committee met to review the administration’s proposed 2026 housing and development budgets and to hear community partners’ funding requests. Council President Harden opened the hearing by warning that the city’s housing demand outpaces supply and citing recent local data: roughly 100,000 additional homes will be needed over the next decade, more than 24,000 eviction filings occurred in Franklin County last year, and about 2,500 people were counted as experiencing homelessness in the most recent point-in-time count.

Chair Tiara Ross said the committee will prioritize understanding departmental capacity and implementation pathways, adding, “Housing is a life or death matter.” Deputy Director Hannah Jones described the Development Department’s structure and said about 58% of the department’s operating budget is devoted to housing and housing stability; she said a $22 million operating budget…

Columbus committee hears 2026 housing budget as providers seek more operating dollars

Summary

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