The Lantern story on government-subsidized, Section 8 housing published on May 29 had a very misleading headline and several important inaccuracies in the text.
The headline declared: “Section 8 housing takes a hit.”
The facts are that Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing will invest $60 million in the renovation and improved management of this vital housing resource for low-income families in Columbus. The renovation will bring air conditioning, carpeting, showers, refurbished kitchens and washer/dryer hook-ups to buildings that have been labeled as “housing of last resort.”
Hundreds of low-income families will have vastly improved housing at no additional cost to them. We expect a much lower turnover of tenants after the renovation, not a higher turnover as reported in the story.
The neighborhoods will also benefit from exterior rehabilitation that will enhance a significant portion of their housing stock and will encourage other property owners to make similar investments.
Where is the hit?
The story reports on the Broad Street Portfolio of 1,335 Section 8 units in Columbus (The portfolio got its name from the fact that all of the units were managed by Broad Street Management, Inc.). More than 500 of these units are in the Weinland Park neighborhood of the University District.
When the 1,335 units were transferred in late April to new non-profit ownership and management, there were 122 units – including about 25 in one building in Weinland Park – that were taken out of the portfolio. This relatively small percentage of the total units will be demolished or redeveloped because the buildings are poorly designed for this housing, are too expensive to renovate or have a history of criminal activity and are difficult to manage. The current residents will be given housing vouchers.
The story referred to another 137 units that could be “lost” in the near future. This is misleading. OCCH has identified these as units which could be “de-concentrated” if Congress acts to permit greater flexibility in the implementation of the housing plan for the Broad Street Portfolio.
One goal of the plan (which is strongly supported by city and neighborhood civic leaders) is to reduce the concentration of Section 8 housing in central city neighborhoods. A significant portion of the 137 identified units are in Weinland Park.
If Congress permits the needed flexibility, then the existing Section 8 contracts on those 137 units would be moved to new or renovated housing in other neighborhoods in Franklin Country less impacted by Section 8. The net supply of Section 8 housing in the county would remain the same.
The acquisition and proposed renovation of the Broad Street Portfolio (now Community Properties of Ohio) is a national model of low-income housing preservation and neighborhood revitalization.
OCCH, Ohio State, the City of Columbus, Campus Partners, tenants, neighborhood civic leaders and many other stakeholders should be proud of what has been accomplished to rehabilitate and maintain the nation’s largest portfolio of scattered-site, Section 8 housing.
Stephen A. SterrettCommunity Relations DirectorCampus Partners
