Columbus Department of Development

🏡 June is National Homeownership Month! 🏡

At COCIC/ COCLT, we celebrate the power of homeownership and the difference it makes in the lives of families and communities. A home is more than four walls and a roof-- homeownership provides stability, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity for families to thrive.

Through the Community Land Trust model, we are working to preserve affordable homeownership opportunities so more families can experience the benefits of owning a home for generations to come.

This month, we celebrate the homeowners, partners, and communities helping make that vision a reality. Together, we are building stronger neighborhoods and creating pathways to opportunity.

Visit us at: www.coclt.org to learn more about purchasing a land trust home.

Progress continues on bringing more affordable housing to South High Street. Affordable Housing Bond funding will support Barthman Family Homes LLC, 150 new one to four bedroom apartments designed for Columbus families. Because everyone who works here should be able to afford to live here. Columbus Department of Development

Yesterday, June 11, the Housing Work Group, a part of the One Linden Plan, met at the Clarence Lumpkin Point of Pride building for their second meeting of 2026.

The Columbus Department of Development presented to the group about the City’s strategy to address housing affordability for people at all income levels. The Franklin County Auditor’s Office followed, sharing information on property values and the process of how they are determined.

The group then reviewed the current housing landscape in Linden, with the internal One Linden Plan team, and identified sites within the plan’s focus area where partner organizations have made an impact.

The meeting concluded with a highlight of the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC) and their upcoming development of 14 new, single-family homes on Kohr Place.

The Housing Work Group consists of Linden stakeholders and community partners focused on:

• Preserving long-term affordability
• Supporting multi-family housing development
• Promoting housing stabilization strategies

Organizations in attendance to collaborate included:

• Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
• Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation
• Civic Uplift, Inc.
• Columbus Department of Development
• Columbus NextGen
• Franklin County Auditor’s Office
• Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio
• National Church Residences
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families (HNHF) Healthy Homes
• North Linden Area Commission
• SavKon Construction
• South Linden Area Commission

Zone In staff are still working through the summer! Here's a quick update for June.

‼️Zone In June 2026 Update‼️

The Zone In team continues to advance Phase Two: Economic and Housing Opportunity, the next step in our efforts to modernize the city's 70-year-old zoning code.

So far this year, our team has attended nearly 90 meetings or events, and connected with more than 1,400 residents, stakeholders, and community leaders across Columbus. We appreciate everyone who has contributed to these important conversations.

As we move into the summer months, we will be refining the proposed zoning districts and zoning map for Phase Two. Outreach to community groups will also continue as we prepare for the formal public comment period later this year.

For more information, visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate. Residents are also welcome to share questions about Phase Two, or any other Zone In inquiries, by emailing [email protected].

The Resilient Housing Initiative (RHI), launched in 2025, is designed to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability for extremely low-income Columbus residents facing homelessness.

If you’re facing homelessness soon because you have nowhere safe to stay when you lose your current housing, call 614-278-0080 and RHI hotline operators will screen you for eligibility for the program. A Housing Resource Specialist will contact you if you’re eligible to help create a plan that can resolve the housing problems you’re facing and may connect you with financial assistance.

If you are already homeless or need immediate shelter, please call the 24-hour Homeless Hotline at 614-274-7000.

More affordable housing is on the horizon for the Discovery District. Thanks to the collaboration of Columbus State Community Partners and Woda Cooper Companies, Inc., $2.4 million in HOME funds is going toward Opportunity Pointe I and II, 166 affordable apartments located near jobs, education, transit, and services downtown. Columbus Department of Development Columbus State Community College

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City of Columbus Planning Division Zone In Phase 2 Update

Columbus Financial Empowerment Center clients have reached another incredible milestone: reducing their non-mortgage debt by $4.6 million and saving $1.4 million! In September 2025, FEC clients achieved a milestone of reducing non-mortgage debt by $3 million, achieving a $1 million reduction of non-mortgage debt in just 6 months. These milestones are possible through the dedication of both the counselors and the clients to achieving financial goals together.