- Funding awarded to 12 community organizations will help ensure the equitable distribution of federal rental assistance
The City of Columbus, Ohio awarded $8 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding to 12 community organizations that will continue to provide emergency rental assistance (ERA) to residents made vulnerable by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is a second award through the Stable Housing Initiative, a program introduced in August 2021 when the city awarded $12.2 million to 26 community organizations to pursue the equitable distribution of emergency rental assistance in the community.
The 12 organizations receiving funding have exhausted their first award and will use the additional funding to serve hard-to-reach populations, including seniors, immigrants and refugees, youth and people with disabilities. Funds will be used for rental assistance, supportive services, and targeted outreach to Columbus residents that had not yet had access to emergency rental assistance programs.
“I am very proud of our community partners for their efforts to support our most vulnerable populations during these challenging times. Thanks to their innovation and collaboration, all Columbus residents can now apply for rental and utility assistance through Rentful614.com, said Councilmember Shayla Favor.
Housing remains my top priority, that is why I will continue to advocate for more ERA funding.”
“The fact that these organizations were able to allocate $12.2 million in rental assistance so quickly demonstrates the magnitude of the need in our community,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.
“I’m pleased to provide further assistance to organizations that have successfully served our neighbors in need, so they may remain stably housed as the Omicron variant and the winter months wear on.”
The U.S. Treasury has awarded more the $47 million to the City of Columbus to help combat housing stability during the pandemic. These emergency rental assistance funds are being distributed through the Stable Housing Initiative partners, as well as, IMPACT Community Action and the Columbus Urban League.
“With this second round of funds, we will aim to connect families with additional supportive services,” said Robin Green, Director of Broad Street Presbyterian Church’s COMPASS program.
“We’re excited about this round of City funding that allows us to continue providing rental/utility assistance and recommend supportive services for greater stabilization. We are honored to have been selected to participate in helping our Central Ohio neighbors.
Organizations awarded the second round of funding through the Stable Housing Initiative are:
| Agency | Populations served | August Award | NewAward |
| Broad Street Presbyterian Church | Seniors, individuals with disabilities and immigrants and refugees | $873,570 | $1,000,000 |
| Physicians CareConnection | Families residing in the 43228 ZIP code | $850,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Somali Community Link Inc. | Immigrant and refugee households | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Catholic Social Services Inc. | Immigrant Hispanic population, seniors and youth ages 18- to 24 years old | $500,000 | $600,000 |
| Central Community House | Seniors and youth ages 18 to 24 years old | $400,000 | $600,000 |
| Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center | Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees | $400,000 | $600,000 |
| Columbus Literacy Council | Immigrants and refugees | $425,000 | $600,000 |
| Lifecare Alliance | Seniors and individuals with disabilities | $500,000 | $600,000 |
| Somali Community Association Of Ohio | Immigrants and refugees, youth, individuals with disabilities and seniors | $500,000 | $600,000 |
| Neighborhood Services Inc. | Seniors, individuals with disabilities and immigrants and refugees | $280,000 | $500,000 |
| Our Helpers | Immigrants and refugees | $211,312 | $500,000 |
| Community Development For All People | People who are unemployed or have been underemployed for an extended period of time | $335,000 | $411,491 |
| Total funding | $8,011,491 |
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