Columbus voters approved a historic $500 million affordable housing bond in November 2025. Now, Mayor Andrew Ginther has unveiled the plan for how that money will be spent.
It is the largest local housing investment in the city’s history, and it builds on two previous voter-approved bond packages totaling $250 million.
Since 2019, those earlier investments have helped create or preserve more than 7,000 affordable homes across Columbus. That includes more than 6,000 affordable rental units, nearly 280 affordable homeownership units, almost 700 permanent supportive housing units, and millions invested in emergency repairs for low-income homeowners.
City leaders say the new half-billion-dollar bond is designed to scale that progress.
Where The $500 Million Will Go
The funding is divided into four major investment categories, each targeting a different piece of the housing puzzle.
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$150 million for building and preserving affordable homes
This portion will help finance new affordable rental units, expand affordable homeownership opportunities, and reinvest in existing properties to keep them affordable long-term. The city plans to use bond dollars to close funding gaps and leverage additional public and private investment.
$125 million for housing stability
This includes strengthening the shelter system, supporting transitional housing, investing in permanent supportive housing, and funding repairs for low-income homeowners. It also aims to reduce displacement by reinvesting in naturally occurring affordable housing.
$175 million for access to opportunity
This category focuses on connecting housing to jobs, transit, and services. Some funds will go toward strategic land acquisition near major civic investments, including LinkUS. The goal is to increase density in key areas and expand housing options in neighborhoods that have historically lacked economic diversity.
$50 million for innovation
The final portion is aimed at reducing development costs and timelines through new construction methods and financing models. City leaders say this will help stretch bond dollars further and strengthen partnerships that expand access to affordable housing.
Why This Matters
Columbus continues to grow rapidly, and housing affordability has become one of the city’s most pressing challenges. Rising rents, limited supply, and increasing home prices have put pressure on families across income levels.
Mayor Ginther framed the bond as an investment in long-term stability and growth, calling affordable housing essential infrastructure for the city’s future.
The new bond is guided by the broader Columbus Housing Strategy, which aims to increase housing supply at all price points, preserve affordability in neighborhoods facing pricing pressure, and address inequities in access to stable housing.
The rollout of funding will build on lessons learned from the previous bond programs, which city officials say provided both measurable results and a roadmap for scaling up.
With half a billion dollars now committed, Columbus is betting big on housing as the foundation for its next chapter of growth.
