Columbus Community Leaders Demanding More Affordable Housing

Community leaders coming together today demanding an action plan to bring more affordable housing in Franklin County. The leaders say the city is in crisis mode.

Columbus Urban League (Columbus, OH) President and CEO Stephanie Hightower says the housing problem is a crisis on par with COVID-19.

“Since July our team at the Columbus Urban League has fielded more than 12,000 calls. This is just from July from people at risk of losing their home,” she said.

Hightower says that’s about 3,000 calls a month.

The overwhelming need is why many community leaders came together to demand an action plan from the city and county officials and to include them at the table when trying to resolve the problem.

“We are demanding a comprehensive affordable action plan,“ said Nana Watson, the President of the Columbus NAACP. “We all need to get on the same page as we begin to address homelessness in our community.”

Hightower says a comprehensive approach is needed, housing alone she says isn’t the only answer.

“Let’s do the wrap-around services that’s needed. Let’s find them better jobs when you have a mother that’s working two or three jobs, she can’t take care of her family,“ said Hightower.

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