To help ensure the equitable distribution of rental assistance to residents adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Columbus City Councilmember Shayla Favor announced the award of $12.2 million to 26 community organizations through the city’s Stable Housing Initiative. St. Stephen’s Community House was one of those funded community organizations and will receive $360,000. The initiative will fund rental assistance, supportive services and targeted outreach to hard-to-reach Columbus residents who have not yet accessed emergency rental assistance available to them.
The $12.2 million in Stable Housing Initiative funding is additive to the $26 million in federal funding the City of Columbus has allocated for rental assistance since the pandemic began. Communitywide, more than 14,400 central Ohio renters have received more than $33 million in COVID-19 rental assistance from the city, county and state, working in partnership with local nonprofits. The new Stable Housing Initiative seeks to reach at-risk populations and distribute assistance through organizations they know and trust.
“We are thankful to the City of Columbus and City Council for recognizing the ongoing struggle our community is still facing. Having stable housing is critical to the health and safety of families and individuals,” St. Stephen’s Community House Chief Executive Officer, Marilyn Mehaffie said.
“St. Stephen’s Community House is honored to have the opportunity to continue strengthening families and to help those in need at this time.”
“Our community has moved swiftly to distribute an unprecedented amount of rental assistance during the pandemic, keeping thousands of our neighbors in their homes. Yet some residents hardest hit by COVID-19, including new Americans, seniors, individuals with disabilities, youth in transition and other vulnerable populations have yet to hear that this funding exists, or how to access it.” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Through this initiative, and partnerships with community organizations, Columbus City Council and the courts, we will ensure that all Columbus residents have access to the resources they need to remain in safe, stable housing during the pandemic and beyond.”
“The Stable Housing Initiative will assist the City of Columbus and our partners in a continued effort to reach and protect the most vulnerable among us as we continue to fight against the looming eviction cliff,” said Councilmember Favor. “I urge our landlord community to work with our nonprofit partners to gain access to these unprecedented resources that will help provide stability and reassurance during these difficult times.”
Organizations awarded funding through the Stable Housing Initiative are:
| Agency | Populations served | Award |
| LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence | Victims of domestic violence, including those in the refugee and immigrant communities | $1,000,000 |
| Broad Street Presbyterian Church | Seniors, individuals with disabilities and immigrants and refugees | $873,570 |
| Physicians CareConnection | Families residing in the 43228 ZIP code | $850,000 |
| Jewish Family Services | Seniors and immigrants and refugees | $650,000 |
| Star House | Youth ages 18 to 24 years old experiencing homelessness | $650,000 |
| Catholic Social Services Inc. | Immigrant Hispanic population, seniors and youth ages 18- to 24 years old | $500,000 |
| Columbus Urban League | Black, female-led households | $500,000 |
| Equitas Health | LGBTQ+ community | $500,000 |
| Lifecare Alliance | Seniors and individuals with disabilities | $500,000 |
| Somali Community Association Of Ohio | Immigrants and refugees, youth, individuals with disabilities and seniors | $500,000 |
| Somali Community Link Inc. | Immigrant and refugee households | $500,000 |
| The Homeless Families Foundation | Pregnant women who are homeless or imminently at risk of becoming homeless | $500,000 |
| YMCA of Central Ohio | Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees | $500,000 |
| Columbus Literacy Council | Immigrants and refugees | $425,000 |
| Central Community House | Seniors and youth ages 18 to 24 years old | $400,000 |
| Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center | Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees | $400,000 |
| Gladden Community House | Very low income households from Franklinton and near west side | $400,000 |
| North Community Counseling Centers Inc. | Seniors, youth, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees | $400,000 |
| St. Stephen’s Community House | Very low income households from Linden and northeast Columbus | $360,000 |
| Homes On The Hill Community Development Corporation | Seniors and immigrants and refugees | $350,000 |
| Community Development For All People | People who are unemployed or have been underemployed for an extended period of time | $335,000 |
| Kaleidoscope Youth Center | Youth ages 18 to 24 years old who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or an LGBTQIA+ person of color | $335,000 |
| Neighborhood Services Inc. | Seniors, individuals with disabilities and immigrants and refugees | $280,000 |
| Our Helpers | Immigrants and refugees | $211,312 |
| Us Together Inc. | Immigrant and refugee households; victims of gender-based violence who are refugees and immigrants | $171,430 |
| Muslim Family Services Of Ohio | Immigrant refugees | $120,000 |
| Total funding | $12,211,312 |
If you are in need of rental assistance, St. Stephen’s Community House is here to help. Please contact us at 614-294-6347 from 7AM-3PM Monday-Friday.