Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Housing, Homelessness, and Building Committee Hearing Meeting Minutes
Contact Name: Jessica Clinger
Contact Telephone Number: 614-645-6354
Contact Email Address: jnclinger@columbus.gov
Body
Housing, Homelessness, and Building Committee Hearing Minutes
Hosted by Council President Hardin and Councilmember Tiara Ross
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 5:00pm
Call to order: 5:06pm
In attendance: Council President Shannon Hardin, Councilmember Tiara Ross, Development Director Michael Stevens, Deputy Director Erin Prosser, Deputy Director Hannah Jones, Mercedes Wiley, Mark Carter, Carlie Boos, Heather Treanor, Jeremy Heater-Druhot, Stanley Gates, Jyoshu Tsushima.
Housing, Homelessness, and Building Committee Chair Councilmember Tiara Ross welcomes and provided opening remarks. Housing stability and homelessness numbers are increasing and Columbus needs to build more affordable housing. Council President Hardin welcome and introduction. Council President Hardin discussed legislation passed last June which require more transparency and accountability including public reports on priorities, funding plans, set-asides, application process, and scoring.
Development Director Michael Stevens provided introduction and discussed prior bond packages passed by voters.
Deputy Director Prosser provided presentation about challenges of the housing market in Columbus. Discussion of the overall housing strategy. Discussion of mechanics of housing bonds and what they can be used for in affordable housing construction and preservation. Development did community engagement and analysis of the housing market and current needs. Resident incomes are not keeping up with construction costs or current rent levels.
Development suggests subsidy for multi-family housing construction to keep some housing affordable through gap funding. Examples given of Habitat for Humanity and use of landbank properties.
Deputy Director Hannah Jones - Continued presentation re...
Click here for full text