The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the City of Columbus are seeking proposals for a regional housing strategy as part of an overall plan to address the region's affordable housing shortage.
Mike Foley reports.
MORPC and Columbus officials say the Request for Proposals (RFP) will include assessing the state of the housing market and affordability in central Ohio; 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. Officials say a key element of the plan will be 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. Columbus officials say more than 40,000 people moved to the city last year. Previous studies have estimated the affordable housing shortage in Columbus at 54,000 units. A link to more information about the RFP can be found here.
