Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to execute a grant agreement with Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio a not-for-profit social service agency in an amount up to $300,000.00 to provide mediation services at eviction court to prevent eviction, homelessness, and help at-at risk residents negotiate viable agreements in court. The period of performance of the Grant Agreement shall be a 12-month period beginning April 1, 2026 and thus authorization to pay for expenditures beginning prior to the purchase order is also requested with this legislation beginning April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Tens of thousands of Columbus residents experience eviction. Eviction disconnects our neighbors from their neighborhoods and disrupts the wellbeing of our residents. With nearly 25,000 eviction filings in 2025 and the highest Writs of Restitution issuances on record, housing for renters in Central Ohio is in crisis. While renters facing eviction are in a dangerously precarious situation, most do not have the support they need to navigate the challenge of eviction. CMS can assist tenants and landlords before eviction cases are filed, helping to resolve housing conflicts before they end up in court through education services and pre-filing negotiations.
Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio also works with many tenants in court who have no viable legal defense by providing impartial mediations between the tenant and the landlord. These non-adversarial dispute resolution services can help vulnerable families avoid the harmful effects of eviction judegments, while also supporting landlords with agreements that are operable for their needs. This cooperative approach fosters constructive relationships with the community’s valuable housing providers.
This grant provides operating support to Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio to continue their existing programs of court mediation and tenant ...
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