Columbus invests $500,000 in home repair program for elderly, disabled and veteran homeowners
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Many homeowners in Columbus have lived in their houses for decades, but as time goes on, some of those properties fall into disrepair.
It can be hard for elderly, disabled or veteran homeowners to find enough money to fix those issues, which can lead to code violations and court-ordered fines. To keep any of this from happening, City Attorney Zach Klein’s office has a home repair program that Columbus City Council just invested more money into.
The council passed an ordinance last Monday to invest $500,000 in the home repair program. President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, who sponsored the ordinance, said this is important “to make sure that, one, they have a safe place to call home, keep a roof over their head but also to make sure those homes don’t turn blighted and have a negative impact on the residents nearby.”
The program is run by Klein’s office in partnership with Columbus NextGen and Habitat for Humanity. Klein said over 100 people have been served so far.
“We want to make sure they can stay in a place that’s safe for them, which code violations sometimes means the place isn’t safe. Making sure they have a good roof over their head, they have the right infrastructure in place within their house so they can thrive and live the rest of their life here in the city of Columbus,” Klein said.
An elderly homeowner just had her roof replaced, got new gutters and a new handrail, and crews will be back soon to do even more repairs. The homeowner said she has lived in her house for four decades. She knew there were issues with the home but she had no money to fix them.
“Well I hadn’t had to pay fines but they just kept sending me letters after letters, behind letters, behind letters. But I just couldn’t do nothing about it,” she said.
But with the home repair program, she said she doesn’t have to worry about paying fines or ending up on the streets.
“I feel wonderful because this has been going on for years and I just didn’t have the money to take care of it. So, now it’s done. Now it’s getting completed,” said the homeowner.
She is 86 years old, relies on oxygen to survive and said she is relieved to know the City of Columbus was able to help her.
“It’s so many major repairs that they did that was really needed and I’m so happy to have had this company because they do such great work, they work fast and nobody is playing around,” she said.
With the $500,000 investment from the council, Klein said they are going to be able to help even more people through the program, keeping a roof over their heads and keeping them out of court.