FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alison D. Goebel, PhD
399 E Main Street Suite 220 Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 224-0187 agoebel@greaterohio.org

The Ohio Affordable Housing Learning Exchange Applauds Investment in Homelessness Prevention, Continues Call for Rent Assistance to Prevent Eviction Catastrophe in Ohio

Columbus, OH (July 13, 2020) – The Affordable Housing Learning Exchange, a statewide organization of affordable housing practitioners and advocates, commends Governor DeWine for his $15 million investment in homelessness prevention.

While this is a positive step for Ohioans through this pandemic, we are standing on the precipice of an eviction catastrophe. Census surveys show 503,500 Ohio renters could not make last month’s rent payment, and studies estimate as many as 713,255 renters could be in danger of eviction this year. That’s enough of our fellow Ohioans to fill Ohio Stadium seven times. There are actions the state can take today to prevent this. 
 
There is no need to wait for a family to enter a homeless shelter before providing aid. At least 28 states have established statewide temporary rent assistance programs for renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We ask the DeWine Administration to protect Ohio’s renters who have been adversely affected by this pandemic by allocating $100 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for emergency rent assistance.
 
About the Ohio Affordable Housing Learning Exchange
The Exchange is comprised of local practitioners and advocates who are on the frontlines of financing, developing, and advocating for affordable housing. They are leaders working in Hamilton, Franklin, Cuyahoga, Lucas, and Hancock counties.  The Exchange is staffed by the Greater Ohio Policy Center.

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