In the next few years, two Columbus families will move into new homes that will be built by construction trades students from the Fort Hayes Career Center. Habitat for Humanity-Mid Ohio today announced that it has partnered with Fort Hayes to provide students with hands-on homebuilding and construction experience. The two homes will be built on City-owned lots located on Old Leonard Avenue, near the schools’ campus. Habitat expects to begin construction on the first home fall 2025 and the second in 2026.

The Habitat partnership provides students with work-based learning opportunities and will introduce students to the work that Habitat is doing to increase affordable homeownership opportunities. Habitat also announced that beginning spring 2025, students will be able to work at sites where new homes will be under construction. This partnership will be exciting, as it will allow the partnership between Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio and Ft. Hayes students to be re-established and strengthened.

“This is an extraordinary partnership between the City of Columbus, Fort Hayes, and Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio to advance our shared goals of connecting people to opportunity and hope through workforce development and affordable housing. I’m incredibly grateful to the City and Fort Hayes and look forward to working for collective impact for years to come,” said Brandi Braun AL-Issa President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. 

The partnership announcement came during a Department of Building and Zoning Services-Fort Hayes partnership event, “BZS Day.” The event introduces students to building inspectors who spend the day with students who are learning to become electricians, HVAC techs, construction workers, and other skilled tradespersons.

BZS Day is just one component of the partnership created to expose students to additional options as they continue their career path in the skilled trades industry. The partnership aims to inspire students to become future Columbus inspectors and could lead to future permanent job opportunities. The partnership program offers students opportunities to spend the day at BZS, mentorships, internships and a newly-created Trainee program.   

“Fort Hayes had been an untapped resource by BZS, and we have learned that the talented young men and women could one day become BZS employees. We’re grateful for the partnership and are excited about the partnership with Habitat,” said Scott Messer, Director, Department of Building and Zoning Services.

"The partnership between Columbus City Schools, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, and the City of Columbus reflects our mission to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for the future," said Superintendent and CEO of Columbus City Schools, Dr. Angela Chapman. "Fort Hayes students will gain valuable skills while making a meaningful impact in our community. This initiative supports career development and highlights the importance of giving back. We are proud to be part of this effort and look forward to its positive impact on our students and the families who will call these houses home."

“The partnership between BZS and Fort Hayes has been a stunning example of what is possible when diligence and purpose intersect.  Many people have conversations about investing in our students, but few actually get to the phase in the plan that is beyond a conversation,” said Principal of Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, Dr. Milton Ruffin. “BZS was unrelenting in making sure that our students were aligned with the concept of partnering, and collaborated on a structure that ensured the students could be successful. Our families, staff and school community are better because of this initiative.”

The lots on which the houses will be built are owned by the Department of Development’s Land Redevelopment Office. The "Fort Hayes" homes will further boost the area's ongoing redevelopment efforts.

Contact:

Natasha Smith, Regional Communications Specialist, Columbus City Schools Phone: 380-997-6133 Mobile: 313-283-4481 Email: nsmith4@columbus.k12.oh.us
Cynthia Rickman, Assistant Director Department of Building and Zoning Services, City of Columbus; (614) 266-2146; email cjrickman@columbus.gov
Kate Ames, Development Director, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, Phone: 740-405-7877, Email: kames@habitatmidohio.org,
Cameron Keir, Communications & Public Relations, Department of Development, (614) 981-0872; ctkeir@columbus.gov

###