Columbus city leaders have taken a major step to confront the local housing crisis. On June 2, 2025, the Columbus City Council approved the creation of a new Division of Housing Stability, a department designed to support renters and increase accountability for landlords. This move is part of a broader “Housing for All” legislative package developed over the past two years to address the city’s growing affordability and eviction challenges.
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A Landmark Effort to Support Renters
The new Division of Housing Stability will be housed within the city’s Department of Development. Its main purpose is to help tenants, advocate for fair housing, and hold negligent landlords accountable. The council president called it a landmark moment, emphasizing the city’s commitment to the principle that housing is a human right. The idea for the division has been under development since March 2023, when the council first rolled out its “Housing for All” strategy. Former council member Shayla Favor, now serving as Franklin County prosecutor, led the initiative.
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Mayor’s Vision Now Reality
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther first introduced the concept in his April State of the City address. The newly approved division is a direct response to rising housing costs and increasing concerns about stability for Columbus residents. Ginther said the city must do more to preserve the dignity and housing security of its residents, especially as the region’s housing shortage drives up costs. The council approved $525,000 in funding to cover the cost of initial staffing and administrative setup for the division. These funds are in addition to the existing budget for staff within the Department of Development.
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Legal Aid Program Continues
One of the division’s first priorities will be administering tenant access to legal representation in eviction court. This initiative is already underway thanks to a $1.5 million allocation approved in May for Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio. These funds ensure low-income families with children facing eviction have legal support during court proceedings. Providing attorneys to renters in eviction court is a key part of the city’s strategy to prevent homelessness. According to Michael Stevens, director of the Department of Development, building this infrastructure connects tenants to critical services and strengthens the city’s neighborhoods.
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Emergency Rental Assistance Nears End
Alongside the launch of the housing division, the city also approved the final allocation of its federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds. Columbus has received over $90 million in ERA funding since 2021. These funds helped keep more than 31,000 households in their homes and supported landlords, many of whom are small business owners. On June 2, the council approved the last $1 million of these pandemic-era relief funds. The city must spend the remaining balance by September 2025, marking the end of this critical federal program. Council President Hardin acknowledged the significance of the funds drying up and said the city will continue to work with organizations like Legal Aid to help residents maintain housing stability even after the assistance ends.
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Housing for All Initiative Moves Forward
The creation of the Division of Housing Stability is one of several proposals under the “Housing for All” policy package. Since 2023, the Columbus City Council has steadily advanced this agenda to address affordability, tenant protections, and housing access. The division will also absorb several existing roles from the Department of Development, including the homeless advocacy liaison. The city plans to hire a fair housing coordinator as well.
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Building Infrastructure for Housing Security
Officials say the division will lay the foundation for lasting housing stability in Columbus. By giving tenants better access to legal and housing support services, the city aims to reduce evictions, improve housing conditions, and empower renters. Director Michael Stevens highlighted the long-term goals, saying the division will help build stronger, more secure neighborhoods across the city. The city hopes that by streamlining services and enforcing accountability, more families will be able to remain housed.
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Accountability for Landlords
One of the division’s key responsibilities will be to identify and hold landlords accountable for poor housing conditions and violations. Although the specific mechanisms for enforcement have not been outlined in detail, the city intends for the division to advocate strongly for tenant rights and act against negligent or abusive property owners.
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Rental Registry on the Horizon
While much of the “Housing for All” legislation has been passed, the council is still working on one of its most significant proposals: the creation of a citywide rental property registry. This would help track landlord practices and housing conditions and ensure greater transparency in the rental market. City officials view the rental registry as a crucial tool to complement the work of the new housing division and ensure the long-term effectiveness of their housing reforms.
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