'No question, we’re in a housing crisis:' Columbus passes eviction assistance funds

View a previous report on eviction notices at Riverview Drive in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After multiple mass eviction events in Columbus, the city enacted measures to assist tenants with emergency rehousing and case management.

In April, 88 tenants living on Riverview Drive were given eviction notices after their apartments were purchased by a new owner. The incident was one of many where large groups were forced out of their homes on short notice, with the evacuation of Colonial Village and Latitude Five25 also occurring in the last two years.

At a recent Columbus City Council meeting, two pieces of legislation were passed to protect those facing similar circumstances.

"I hope that everyone is familiar with the state of displacements and evictions that have been happening around Columbus as we continue to grapple with our growing housing crisis," Councilmember Shayla Favor said.

Grant agreement with Riverview International Center

The council approved a $40,000 grant for Riverview International Center for case management and services.

"Our mission is to empower our new American neighbors by supporting individuals, strengthening families and nurturing community," Executive Director Emelia Sheeley said.

Riverview International Center does that by helping new Americans attain benefits they're eligible for, such as enrolling their children in school and assisting in their search for work. The nonprofit has also gotten involved in helping vulnerable residents on Riverview Drive.

"The Riverview International Center has been a beacon of community in the neighborhood for many years, offering culturally competent services to area residents," Favor said.

Residents in two of the Riverview Drive buildings purchased by Coastal Ridge have already been evicted, Sheeley said. For the others, it is still looming.

"I had a family in our office yesterday who knows they have to move out next month," Sheeley said recently. "Eventually, all of those families and tenants will have to find a new place to live."

But Riverview International Center has received some concessions for tenants facing eviction on its namesake road. The group negotiated an increased eviction notice for those still living at Riverview Drive, expanding it from 30 to 60 days. It also asked that residents be provided with relocation options in their notice.

Funding for Emergency Rehousing Initiative

The council approved $323,600 for the city's Emergency Rehousing Initiative, which helps displaced residents struggling to find housing. Favor said this plan is meant to be proactive instead of reactive, preparing the city in case another event like Riverview Drive or Colonial Village happens again.

"We are seeing the displacement of residents in large apartment complexes, which does necessitate the city having to move very quickly to assist folks to find safe and affordable and habitable housing in our community," Favor said. "We're talking about the displacement of over 1,000 families and we know that this is not the end."

The goal of the rehousing initiative is to help displaced tenants find housing stability. Favor said these residents are often pushed out by property owners engaging in what she called immoral practices.

"There are individuals that have taken advantage of our housing market and have taken advantage of individuals who would fall into that vulnerable category," Favor said. "While some of these practices are legal, they're morally reprehensive."

Sheeley and the council both expressed that protecting tenants is part of the fight against a much larger crisis.

"There's no question that we're in a housing crisis," Sheeley said. "We're going to keep growing, and we really have to be open to building more, building up, and making sure that people earn the kind of wages that they need to be able to afford to live."

In April, Columbus leaders introduced the Zone In Initiative, the city's proposed changes to its zoning code which they said will address the city's housing crisis by focusing on affordability and availability.