Housing Affordability Information

Information from the Franklin County Auditor's Office about Affordable Housing Resources

Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano

October 1, 2019

Housing Trends of Franklin County, Ohio

Whether you are a lifelong resident of Franklin County or new to our communities, we can all agree that safe, affordable housing is critical. The tremendous growth of the last several years has created the vibrant cities and neighborhoods we have, but also placed pressure on housing throughout many areas of the county. The Franklin County Auditor’s Office joins many individuals, organizations, and governments in work to address existing and projected shortfalls in affordable housing. In support of this effort, we provide this information to highlight where we are and link to resources for today and the future.

Housing and Income

This map shows census tracts throughout the county and highlights those with higher or lower home value or higher or lower income. The relationship between home value and income is an important consideration for development, tax policy, and other housing work. Areas of concern can include those where there is higher cost and lower income. This map uses median incomes and median values; areas where there is more of a balance could also include those with more of a mix of incomes and home values.

You can click on each tract for details.

Housing Cost as a Proportion of Income

This map shows the proportion of income that goes to housing in each area. The map shows the relative burden for both owners and renters. Generally, policy makers consider spending 30% or more of income on housing costs as creating a “housing-cost burden”. ( US Census Bureau, n.d. ) Housing-cost burden can result in less stable housing or reduce the amount of a household budget available for other expenses or savings. Areas on this map with darker colors reflect a higher portion of residents spending more than 30% of their income on housing. More purple areas reflect that burden applies primarily to renters.

You can click on each tract for details.

*Source: American Community Survey, US Census Bureau, 2013-2017*

Rental vs. Owner Occupied

This map shows the proportion of housing units in a census tract that are rented versus owned. In the last several years, there has been a trend toward renting as opposed to owning a home. ( CityLab, 2018 ) This reflects both a variety of economic factors and preferences of residents. It is an important trend to observe both for residents and policy makers as ideally projects would increase the types of affordable and mixed income properties that residents want. Central Ohio is projected to grow by as many as 3 million people over 30 years which will require planning and changes to housing, transportation, and development strategies. ( MORPC, 2019 )

Vacant Residential Property

Even as Franklin County grows in population there are still areas with vacant residential property. In some census tracts as measured in 2017 the vacancy rate exceeded 50%. These can include properties in transition or redevelopment and those that are temporarily vacant between being owner-occupied or rented. It is important for residents, businesses, and policy makers to consider why an area may have a higher vacancy rate when making personal or investment decisions.

Exploring the Auditor's Data

One critical tool to both increase affordable housing options and decrease vacant or uninhabitable properties is the land bank process. The Auditor’s office maintains property ownership records including those owned by a land bank. The red highlighted properties on the map below show land classified by the Auditor's office as owned by a Land Bank. The blue lines represent COTA bus lines. To find out more information, zoom in and click on the property. To find out what properties are for sale by the land bank, please visit COCIC.org .

Land Bank Owned Properties

Resource Organizations in Franklin County

If you are in need of housing support or want to learn more about the work being done to help Franklin County grow responsibly there are many government entities, businesses, and advocacy groups participating in this effort. Below you will find links and brief descriptions for planners, builders, and support options active throughout the area.

Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation

COCIC acquires properties in order to improve the quality of neighborhoods, increase property values and return unproductive properties to contributing, tax-paying status, and create diverse housing and business opportunities by leveraging resources to promote and facilitate the reclamation, rehabilitation and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property.

The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO) was formed in 2015 by a group of nonprofit organizations that represent the full spectrum of affordable housing development and operations. The goal of AHACO is to increase the supply of affordable housing opportunities in Franklin County.

The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County (AHT) , established in 2001, is an independent, non-profit lender that works with the private, non-profit and public sectors to develop affordable housing opportunities within the City of Columbus and Franklin County.

Community Shelter Board (CSB) leads a coordinated, community effort to make sure everyone has a place to call home. CSB is the collective impact organization driving strategy, accountability, collaboration, and resources to achieve the best outcomes for people facing homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County.

Franklin County Senior Options (FCSO) helps residents of Franklin County, Ohio, age 60 and older maintain their independence. It also supports family members with the often overwhelming task of caring for a frail older parent, family member, or friend with limited abilities.

Franklin County Board of Commissioners Housing Plan The Franklin County Board of Commissioners recently adopted a plan to increase affordable housing development.

Habitat for Humanity operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair close to 800,000 decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide.

Healthy Homes is a non-profit housing developer, revitalizing housing on Columbus’ south side through rehab, renovation and home repair.

Homeport creates strong communities by developing quality, affordable homes on a cornerstone of dignity, security and opportunity.

Homes on the Hill is a not-for-profit organization that develops affordable housing in southwestern Franklin County, Ohio.

IMPACT Community Action ’s mission is “to reduce poverty by providing hope-inspiring help and real opportunities for self-sufficiency.”

Modcon Living Is A Nonprofit Organization Established To Help Sustain Homes And Neighborhoods, And Enrich The Lives Of Homeowners In Our Community.

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is a regional council comprised of counties, cities, villages, townships, and regional organizations. MORPC helps low- and moderate-income homeowners maintain and improve their homes through several home repair programs.

Nothing Into Something Real Estate (NISRE) provides affordable housing solutions and economic empowerment initiatives designed to alleviate poverty and revitalize neighborhoods in low and moderate income communities.

Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) facilitates the development, rehabilitation and financing of low- to moderate-income housing.