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Council funds $148,000 grant to Enterprise Community Partners for mission‑driven affordable housing initiative
Summary
Council approved ordinance 16-84 to authorize a grant agreement with Enterprise Community Partners to provide training and technical assistance to faith‑based and mission organizations seeking to develop affordable housing; Enterprise committed to in‑person and virtual training and partnerships with private sector supporters.
Columbus City Council approved ordinance 16-84 to authorize a not-for-profit grant agreement with Enterprise Community Partners and to appropriate up to $148,000 from the Neighborhood Initiative subfund to support a mission‑driven affordable housing initiative.
Council member Remy Ross (speaker 13) introduced the measure and invited Enterprise’s Ayanna Blue Donald (speaker 16) to testify. "Again, I am Ayanna Blue Donald, and I serve as vice president of the Midwest Region at Enterprise Community Partners," she told council, describing the program’s focus on early-stage technical assistance, feasibility studies, and training to help houses of worship and mission-driven nonprofits explore development of affordable housing on underutilized land.
Council and the applicant described the program as complementary to prior council steps (Yes In God’s Backyard) and a means to expand capacity for minority developers and mission-aligned nonprofits. Enterprise said the program will include about 20 hours of classroom instruction and partner engagement with financial institutions; the city will work with Enterprise to leverage private-sector contributions such as early interest from PNC Bank.
Council moved and seconded the ordinance and passed it by voice vote without further questions.
Next steps: Enterprise will begin outreach under the grant terms and submit program reports consistent with the grant agreement.
