Explanation
Background
This ordinance authorizes a grant in the amount of $113,547.00 between the City of Columbus’ Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) and Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit to support the construction of the second of two currently planned new homes in Columbus beginning the soonest date a purchase order can be confirmed through June 30, 2027.
Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio’s mission is seeking to put God’s love into action to bring people together to inspire hope, build homes, empower families, and develop communities. According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition's (NLIHC) 2023 annual report, the available and affordable housing stock continues to shrink. There's a 6% increase in the shortage of affordable and available housing since 2022. The report reveals a ratio of only 26 affordable units available for every 100 extremely low-income households. To close this gap, more than 52,000 affordable units need to be built in Columbus.
Ordinance 1067-2025 authorized construction trades students from Fort Hayes Education Center to work alongside Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio construction staff leads to construct the first of two new homes in Columbus in partnership with local Habitat partner families in the 2025-26 school year. The Fort Hayes Education Center offers half-day career-technical education courses in health, construction, media arts, performing arts, visual arts, and transportation-related programs. All classes are available on campus to prepare students for jobs in their community and beyond.
This home, like the first, will be built on a city-owned lot located a walkable distance from the school, allowing for easy access for the students and eliminating a historically challenging barrier to workforce development programming - transportation. The construction schedule will overlay the students' school year and is expected to take around seven months. Students in specialties like masonry, car...
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