The number of people without a home in central Ohio is on the rise and community leaders are introducing new funding and actions to address the problem.
The Community Shelter Board and Continuum of Care partners shared the results Tuesday of the homeless count conducted on Jan. 25.
The count identified more than 2,337 people experiencing homelessness, up 22% from 1,912 in Jan. 2022. The count identified 1,839 people as staying in shelters or transitional housing, which was up from 17% from 2022.
Nearly 500 people were living outside or in other spaces not meant for habitation. That was up by 46% from 2022.
The City of Columbus will receive $68 million and Franklin County will get $52 million from the U.S. Treasury's latest re-allocation of Emergency Rental Assistance funds.
City officials plan to use $25 million for rent and utility assistance for low-income households.
The city also plans to partner with non-profit organizations, including agencies serving new Americans, refugees and pregnant mothers. Nearly $1 million will go toward an Emergency Rehousing Resource fund to provide immediate help to people involuntarily displaced due to property-owner negligence.
The city plans to use $3.5 million for housing resource specialists working in non-profit groups to help people navigate the housing process.
City officials point out that as property values rose, Franklin County lost 38,000 apartments that used to be rented out for less than $900 a month.
Franklin County Board of Commissioners President John O鈥橤rady says commissioners will work with their community partners throughout central Ohio to create new housing and help families stay in their homes.
