Press Conference: Affordable Housing Bond

Video Description

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther outlined his plan to deploy the $500 million affordable housing bond approved by Columbus voters in November 2025. The plan for the largest local housing investment in city history builds on progress made through prior voter-approved bond programs and advances the Columbus Housing Strategy, which recognizes affordable housing as essential community infrastructure that supports long-term growth, stability and opportunity. Since voters approved affordable housing bond packages of $50 million in 2019 and $200 million in 2022, the City of Columbus has committed or allocated over $200 million in bond funding. Paired with other public and private financing, those investments have helped create or preserve over 7,000 affordable homes citywide, including: • Over 6,000 affordable rental units, • Nearly 280 permanent affordable homeownership units, • Nearly 700 permanent supportive housing units, and • More than $7 million invested in emergency and critical home repairs for low-income homeowners. The plan for deploying the $500 million bond package was informed by the city’s experience implementing previous bond funds, analyses of housing outcomes across Columbus and engagement with residents, housing advocates, developers, service providers and numerous city departments. Mayor Ginther’s investment strategy focuses the $500 million bond across four coordinated investment priorities designed to strengthen the city’s housing infrastructure, respond to today’s challenges for families and housing partners, and deliver affordability at scale: • $150M: Continue to Invest in Affordable Homes – Building on the results of the prior bonds, additional funding will be used to build and preserve housing that is affordable to low- and middle-income families. Investments will help close financing gaps to construct income-qualified affordable rental units that leverage other public and private funding, expand permanent affordable homeownership opportunities, and preserve existing affordable housing by reinvesting in properties and extending affordability periods. • $125M: Invest in Housing Stability – The city will pursue capital investments that strengthen the housing stability system to help residents remain safely housed and expedite the transition back to stable housing following periods of homelessness. This includes investment in a comprehensive shelter system that responds to individuals’ and families’ needs, transitional supportive housing for those at highest risk of housing instability, improvements for low-income homeowners and reinvestment in naturally occurring affordable housing to reduce displacement and improve living conditions for tenants, alongside continued investment in permanent supportive housing. • $175M: Invest in Access to Opportunity – Bond dollars will be used to connect low- and middle-income families to opportunity by supporting strategic acquisition of land aligned with major civic investments — including LinkUS — and investments that increase density or expand housing options to create economic diversity in more neighborhoods. Investments may also support efforts that connect housing with community services and support, including childcare, workforce development and health services, • $50M: Invest in Innovation – Funds will also be used to expand the city’s toolbox for ensuring Columbus families can afford a high quality of life, by investing in innovation in both construction and financial models that deliver housing. These investments are designed to reduce development costs and timelines, extend the value of bond dollars, and strengthen partnerships that expand access to affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. Together, these priorities reflect a coordinated approach that builds and preserves affordable homes, strengthens housing stability, improves access to opportunity and expands the tools needed to deliver affordability in today’s market. Guided by the Columbus Housing Strategy, the $500 million bond advances the city’s long-term vision to increase housing supply at all price points, preserve affordability in neighborhoods facing pricing pressure, and address long-standing inequities in access to safe, stable housing.