In a daring attempt to solve the escalating housing issue in central Ohio, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced Tuesday the creation of the Regional Housing Coalition. Ginther explained during a news conference that the project is required to address the area’s anticipated housing shortage as it moves toward 2030, according to WBNS. Addressing the shortage of affordable housing is part of the coalition’s plan since, according to data, a property in an area where the typical household income is $76,000 currently requires an annual income of $90,000.
Ginther’s comment, “If you work in central Ohio, you should be able to live in central Ohio,” highlights the coalition’s goal of constructing 200,000 units in central Ohio by 2030, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders. According to The Columbus Dispatch, this ambitious proposal is expected to result in the creation of an additional 88,000 units through new zoning amendments in Columbus. The goal is not just for Columbus or Franklin County to address this issue, but rather for a coordinated regional strategy that includes assistance from other towns and the corporate sector.
The region’s inadequate housing supply, which has lagged behind the rate of population increase and employment creation for more than ten years, is the main source of the problem. “We have under-built our housing supply across the region by half for the last 15 years,” One Columbus President and CEO Kenny McDonald told FOX28. With Fairfield County Commissioner Jeff Fix and Reynoldsburg Mayor Joe Begeny pledging their support for the cause, the alliance seeks to buck this trend by introducing a variety of housing types, such as worker, market rate, and affordable apartments.
The four task forces on housing supply, affordability, equity, and advocacy that were formed in 2021 have been expanded into the Regional Housing Coalition. “To help us come up with housing alternatives, we brought in specialists. To solve a problem that is affecting our entire region, we took decisive and cooperative action. In an interview with FOX28, Lark Mallory of Mallory Economic Advisors said, “When we band together, we can create change.”Despite acknowledged community opposition and logistical difficulties, the alliance is now aiming to realize these massive housing projects, with over 150 stakeholders participating in thorough preparation.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that regional leaders, aware of the hardships faced by their constituents, are getting ready to approach municipalities that are hesitant to expand affordable housing, even if it involves knocking on doors to convince people, as Ginther half-joked. The combined efforts aim to provide stability and a fair way of life for the many groups in central Ohio. Ginther stresses that the 200,000 additional housing units are one of America’s most ambitious housing ambitions and should be developed with accuracy and urgency, even though he did not provide a deadline.
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