Mayor Andrew J. Ginther is taking concrete steps to tackle the housing instability crisis in Columbus by introducing legislation to create a new Division of Housing Stability. This move is part of the city’s efforts to improve tenant protections and address the region’s housing challenges. According to an announcement from the city’s official website, this move is set to advance a significant aspect of Ginther’s housing strategy, which was highlighted in his 2025 State of the City address.
The proposed division, backed by a $525,000 allocation, seeks to ensure housing stability through tenant engagement, eviction prevention, and the enforcement of fair housing policies, alongside Mayor Ginther’s statement obtained by the Columbus Government website highlighted the urgency “to protect the stability and dignity of all of our neighbors – and we are.” Especially noteworthy is the city’s recent $1.475 million collaboration with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, which is set to bolster legal support for low-income tenants facing eviction in the courtroom; these efforts illustrate the city’s commitment to making these support systems more robustly present before a housing crisis hits.
The Division aims to establish a firm infrastructure for housing stability, giving access to legal counsel for at-risk low-income tenants, enforcing the city’s Relocation Assistance Code to aid tenants under emergency vacate orders, and strengthening the investigation of fair housing discrimination complaints. Michael Stevens, director of the Department of Development, told the Columbus Government news release, “By standing up the Division of Housing Stability, we are building a lasting infrastructure that connects tenants with resources, strengthens accountability and fosters more prosperous and secure neighborhoods across our city.”…