Explanation
In November 2025 voters overwhelmingly approved the issuance of bonds in the amount of $500 million for the purpose of promoting neighborhood and community development and affordable housing within the City of Columbus by purchasing, constructing, demolishing, renovating, improving, equipping and furnishing residential and commercial structures in the City, and acquiring, clearing, testing, remediating environmental issues, extending utilities, and otherwise improving residential and commercial sites in the City, and providing funds for grants in connection with the same. (“Affordable Housing Bonds”)
The issuance of the Affordable Housing Bonds is a critical step to ensuring that Columbus remains an affordable and accessible city for both homeowners and renters.
As the dollars are committed, an important part of safeguarding public funds is ensuring that the bond dollars are allocated in a transparent, consistent way that serves the core needs of Columbus residents and aligns with other City and regional strategies for housing, infrastructure, transportation, equity, and growth. Ensuring that the allocation and use of the housing focused dollars remains transparent for City residents is a top priority for Columbus City Council.
This ordinance requires the Director of the Department of Development to provide a public, transparent process on an annual basis in coordination with Columbus City Council for the allocation of Affordable Housing Bond dollars for the following five years, after which Council will review this process. This includes an annual:
· Publication of any competitive and/or non-competitive specific pools, set-asides, requests for proposals, or distinct allocations for specific purposes or groups alongside intended amount allocated by September 1 of that year;
· Creation and public dissemination of a clear, competitive application process for recipients seeking funds to be competitively allocated for that year, including a timetable ...
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