The City of Columbus is stepping up its efforts to boost affordable housing. Mayor Andrew Ginther and other city and community leaders announced on Monday a $10 million city investment in a public/private partnership. It's part of the upcoming capital budget.
The money will be used on various city-wide projects including one on Jenkins Street on the city's Southside. Sixty new affordable residential units at Jenkins Street Lofts will be available for rent starting next year.
“I’m thrilled to have the private sector engaging in such a significant way, our major employers in this community realizing that safe, affordable housing is critically important to our future, to economic development, job creation and growth.," Ginther said.
In addition to the $10 million project, Ginther also announced two initiatives to help ease housing expenses.
One will give renter's options to secure a unit without paying huge deposits. Another will create a foreclosure registry to centralize data on vacant properties and return them to use more quickly.
Ginther also announced the first-ever assistant director of housing strategies. Erin Prosser begins her new position after a months-long national search.
She'll help to lead the city's efforts to address the lack of affordable housing. Her post will also encourage the development of mixed-income neighborhoods and coordinate with community leaders.
Prosser had worked as the director of community development in Ohio State’s department of Planning, architecture and real estate.
