COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus is cutting into a new chapter of affordable housing giving residents who earn a 30-80% of area median income an equal chance at housing.
What You Need To Know
- Central Ohio needs almost 50,000 new affordable housing units
- Wendler Commons is a 62-unit apartment
- Rent ranges from $330 to $1,060 based on size and income
- The apartment complex is for certain working residents and retirees on fixed income
- Wendler is located on the northeast side of Columbus near Easton
Columbus welcomed Wendler Commons, a 62-unit apartment complex geared toward certain working residents and retirees on fixed incomes. Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, said the opportunity and location is a win for central Ohio.
“I’m excited about what the residents are going to experience to tap into the job market that’s right around the corner, Easton, but also to provide for their families in ways that they may not have felt was possible before,” said Jarrells.
He took office during the height of the pandemic, and his office fielded nearly 2,500 calls of central Ohioans that were living in their cars or traveling to fast-food restaurants to receive Wi-Fi.
He said while Wendler Commons is a step in the right direction, there’s still a long way to go.
“Fast forward, a property like this, now erected and helping families. It means a lot, but there’s a greater need,” said Jarrells. “There’s so much more that we are going to have to do as more families are moving into central Ohio and the affordable housing crisis is still a looming issue.”
Central Ohio needs almost 50,000 units to meet the needs of those at or below extremely low income, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
The 2020 census data showed Columbus as the fastest growing city in Ohio.
Donetta Moore moved to Columbus last fall after her mom died and was Wendler Common’s first resident.
“I actually didn’t have anyone in Kentucky anymore, so my daughter and her husband really wanted me to move up here to be closer,” said Moore.
While she wanted to be close to family, Columbus’ rising cost of living intimidated her.
In Ohio, the median gross rent increased 9% from 2017 to 2018, according to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
Moore is retired, and relying on her fixed social security income. She felt she couldn’t afford the average Columbus rent, which is a little more than $1,000 per month, according to RentCafe.
“When she passed away that dropped my income to one, and I knew I could not afford to live on my own,” said Moore.
When she heard about Wendler Commons, she was excited. Rental rates range from $330 per month to $1,060 a month, depending on unit size and income restrictions. She worked with the property manager on the paperwork and a budget.
Moore said it feels good to have a place she can call home.
“I felt kind of abandoned and felt so isolated in Kentucky, so when I realized I was able to move up here and have my independence, I just had a whole new view on life,” said Moore.
The new apartment complex was built by Woda Cooper Companies, which received Federal Low Income Housing tax credits from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. The company also worked with the city, state and private banks for capital.
