Affordable Housing Educational Resources
The affordable housing crisis is increasing rapidly in central Ohio. Below are some educational resources that dive into the causes, effects, and potential outcomes for the future of housing in central Ohio.
The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO) asks the question, "What if central Ohio refused to accept rising housing costs and, instead, cut our housing gap in half?" in their 2023 report, Finding Home in the Heart of it All. The organization explores the generational advantages that would come to light if we put the work in to reduce the housing crisis facing central Ohio.
As explained in the report, one key indicator of a tightening housing market is the ratio of jobs to homes. Between 2009 and 2019, a single home was built for every 2.5 jobs created. It is forecasted that by 2040, there will be 1.4M jobs and only around 674.7k estimated housing units in Franklin County, which equates to one housing unit for every two jobs. A jobs-to-homes ratio above 1.5 signals fewer housing options and longer commutes to work. Below are a few other statistics that indicate an affordable housing crisis in central Ohio.
One way to put this crisis into perspective is to take into consideration the area median income (AMI) of central Ohio. The definition of affordable housing is paying 30% or less of one's income on housing, whether that be rent or mortgage payments. Keeping in mind that the median monthly housing costs in Franklin County in 2020 were $1,092, the table below provides recognizable job titles in relation to AMI with the maximum monthly rent considered to be under the realm of affordable.
So, what happens if we cut the local housing burden in half? AHACO offers forecasted statistics in relation to education, the Black wealth gap, food security, and more. This positive outlook cannot be achieved by one organization alone, like Habitat, but would be the result of a variety of policies and programs implemented to halve the number of those struggling to afford a stable home. Finding Home in the Heart of it All puts it best, stating, "Housing lies at the center of our lives, and our stability and success can be quickly uprooted when housing troubles arise. With adequate housing to meet the diverse needs of the central Ohio community, we can help ourselves and our neighbors thrive."
Visit AHACO's website and read their 2023 report Finding Home in the Heart of it All here.
The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University
The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explores the effects of rising housing costs on the U.S. population and foreseeable solutions to the affordable housing crisis in their report The State of the Nation's Housing 2023. Home prices and rents remain elevated from pre-pandemic levels, leaving millions - including a disproportionate share of people of color - struggling with housing cost burdens, priced out of homeownership, or without shelter at all. To read the report and view interactive maps and data on U.S. housing costs, visit their website here.
Segregated by Design
Segregated by Design, a short film directed, designed, and animated by Mark Lopez and written and narrated by Richard Rothstein, examines the history of how federal, state, and local governments unconstitutionally segregated every major metropolitan area in America through law and policy. For a summary of historic policies and government programs that contributed to racial segregation in the United States, we encourage you to watch this short 17 minute film.
