City leaders yesterday released an accounting of the $50 million affordable housing bond that Columbus voters approved in 2019, detailing what has been spent so far and which projects and programs will receive funding through the end of 2022.
A little over $14 million of city bond dollars were spent in 2020, going toward projects like Jenkins Street Lofts in Merion Village, a 180-unit development on Sinclair Road, and Mulby Place in Linden, which is scheduled to start construction soon.
In 2021 and 2022, the remaining $36 million will be split among new projects and those that have already received some funding (see the full list below). All told, the city says that the bond money will result in 1,324 units of housing being built or preserved. All of the units will be targeted toward individuals earning less than $46,960 per year, or families of four making less than $67,050.
“Affordable housing is absolutely vital to the well-being of our residents and their ability to achieve their full potential,” said Mayor Andrew Ginther in a statement. “From expanded access to education and employment to improved health, wellness and stability, having a safe, reliable place to call home lifts people up and moves communities forward by laying the foundation for inclusive prosperity throughout all our neighborhoods.”
The city is also currently evaluating its tax abatement and incentive policies, as required by legislation passed by city council in 2018. A press release specifically stated that the city hopes to “incentivize the creation of additional units that are accessible to families earning Columbus’ median household income of $47,000,” but no further details were provided.
“These tools are two key components of the broader strategy to become a city that is affordable, equitable and economically vibrant,” said Erin Prosser, the city’s assistant director of housing strategies, referring to the bond money and the incentives. “We will need to continue to protect and create units at every stage of the housing spectrum and throughout our community to ensure that all families benefit from the growth and prosperity coming to the Columbus region.”
Additional Reading:
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Project | Partner | Units | City Bond Dollars | Total Development Cost |
2020 | ||||
Mulby Place (first allocation) | Homeport | 100 | $2,725,000 | $18,000,000 |
Jenkins Street Lofts (first allocation) | Woda Group | 60 | $250,000 | $12,000,000 |
Touchstone Place I | Community Housing Network | 56 | $1,000,000 | $12,000,000 |
Sinclair (first allocation) | NRP Group | 180 | $2,175,000 | $38,500,000 |
Affordable Homeownership Milo Grogan, Weinland Park, Near East, Franklinton | COCLT | 22 | $3,000,000 | $3,600,000 |
48 Parkwood | Beatty/Kelley | 35 | $500,000 | $6,000,000 |
Lockbourne Greene | HNHF/Woda Group | 60 | $1,753,875 | $16,000,000 |
Scattered Site Rental | HNHF | 73 | $2,500,000 | $7,500,000 |
Emergency Shelter Repairs | Huckleberry House, Lutheran Social Services, Southeast, YWCA Columbus | $350,000 | ||
2020 Total | 586 | $14.2M | $113.6M | |
2021 | ||||
Jenkins Street Lofts (second allocation) | Woda Group | counted above | $250,000 | counted above |
Sinclair (second allocation) | NRP Group | counted above | $2,175,000 | counted above |
Mulby Place (second allocation) | Homeport | counted above | $3,325,000 | counted above |
Touchstone Place II | Community Housing Network | 44 | $500,000 | $9,800,000 |
West Broad Senior | National Church Residences | 92 | $500,000 | $19,000,000 |
Easton Place Homes (first allocation) | Homeport | 100 | $2,250,000 | $25,400,000 |
Oakwood Apartments Renovation | CPO/CMHA | 53 | $1,200,000 | $12,500,000 |
Topiary Park | CDDC | 90 | $4,000,000 | to be announced |
Meadows Renovation (first allocation) | CMHA | 95 | $500,000 | $16,400,000 |
614 for Linden | HNHF | 20 | $2,000,000 | $25,000,000 |
Affordable Homeownership | COCLT | 25 | $4,000,000 | $3,500,000 |
Linden Town Center Housing | Nascent Group Holdings | 41 | $500,000 | $5,200,000 |
2021 Total | 560 | $21.2M | $116.8M | |
2022 | ||||
Meadows Renovation (second allocation) | CMHA | counted above | $500,000 | counted above |
Easton Place Homes (second allocation) | Homeport | counted above | $2,250,000 | counted above |
West Broad Senior (second allocation) | National Church Residences | counted above | $1,500,000 | counted above |
Oakwood Apartments Renovation (second allocation) | CPO/CMHA | counted above | $700,000 | counted above |
McKinley Manor | CMHA/WODA | 44 | $1,250,000 | $12,100,000 |
Starling Yard | Woda | 97 | $3,000,000 | $28,700,000 |
Affordable Homeownership | COCLT | 37 | $5,400,000 | $5,100,000 |
2022 Total | 178 | $14.6M | $45.9M | |
Total Affordable Housing Bond Allocation | 1,324 | $50M | $276.3M |