Columbus, Ohio – A major affordable housing project is moving forward in Downtown Columbus, where Congresswoman Joyce Beatty joined Columbus State Community College, Woda Cooper Companies, local officials and community partners to mark the groundbreaking of Opportunity Pointe.
The $51 million development will bring 166 new affordable homes to the Columbus State campus. Additional housing will also be dedicated to Columbus State students, connecting residents with education, employment, transportation and other services in the surrounding area.
The project arrives as Central Ohio faces a shortage estimated at more than 53,000 affordable housing units. At the same time, housing expenses have continued to rise faster than incomes, increasing pressure on families, workers and students.
“As Central Ohio grows, affordable housing must be part of that growth,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “Opportunity Pointe is exactly the kind of investment we need. These 166 affordable homes, plus additional units dedicated to Columbus State students, will connect more people to education, jobs, transportation, and opportunity. This project also shows what is possible when federal investment and strong public-private partnerships come together. I’m proud to have fought for the HOME program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to help communities build more affordable housing and turn projects like Opportunity Pointe from plans into reality.”
Housing leaders discuss challenges facing Central Ohio
Before the groundbreaking, Beatty partnered with the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio to organize a roundtable with housing and community leaders.
Participants included COHHIO Executive Director Amy Riegel, Columbus State President David Harrison, Woda Cooper Companies Founder and CEO Jeffrey Woda, National Church Residences Vice President Amy Rosenthal and Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio Executive Director Carlie Boos.
Their conversation centered on the recently enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and how the legislation could increase access to affordable homes nationwide. Participants also discussed areas where additional housing reforms may be needed.
Homelessness, permanent supportive housing and affordable housing for college students were among the issues highlighted during the discussion.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said Opportunity Pointe could help ensure that the city’s continued expansion benefits a wider range of residents.
“Columbus is growing, and we must make sure that growth creates opportunities for everyone. Opportunity Pointe is an important investment in that vision, bringing much-needed affordable housing to our Downtown while giving families, workers and students the opportunity to live close to jobs, education, transportation and other community amenities,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus. “Through strong public-private partnerships like this one, we can continue building a city where everyone participates in and benefits from Columbus’ success.”
Jeffrey J. Woda also pointed to the need for cooperation between government, private businesses, policymakers and community organizations.
“Monday’s roundtable discussion reinforced just how critical it is for communities, policymakers, government officials, the private sector, and other stakeholders to work together to address the growing need for affordable housing. We know that housing affordability affects families, workers, students, seniors, and the economic health of our communities,” said Jeffrey J. Woda, Founder & CEO, Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. “That is why we are especially proud to break ground on Opportunity Pointe here in downtown Columbus. This is what can happen when we come together around a shared vision to make quality, affordable housing more accessible to the people who need it most.”
Riegel said rising housing expenses are already having visible consequences across Ohio.
“Housing costs are increasing faster than incomes. Columbus, and communities throughout Ohio, are seeing the effects of the affordable housing shortage every day, from families struggling to pay rent to shelters operating beyond capacity,” said Amy Riegel, Executive Director, Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Beatty and all of her bipartisan colleagues for passing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Now we need to fully implement this legislation to fulfill its potential for expanding access to affordable homes.”
Project aims to address barriers facing students
For Columbus State, the development is also part of a broader effort to address challenges that can make completing college more difficult.
“Opportunity Pointe will meet an urgent need for affordable housing, both for our students and for the broader Central Ohio community,” said President David T. Harrison. “This is a great example of how public-private partnerships can make a difference in people’s lives. Columbus State is proud to partner on this innovative solution to a regional challenge. Along with the YMCA and the recently announced ALDI, we are helping our students with housing, childcare, and food insecurity. These have been longstanding barriers to success for many of our students.”
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency is participating financially through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
“OHFA is proud to be a financial partner in Opportunity Pointe through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program,” said Bill Beagle, Executive Director of OHFA. “This housing development is a result of the shared vision of the city, Columbus State, and Woda Cooper to increase access to affordable, quality housing in Columbus.”
Federal investments are playing an important role in financing Opportunity Pointe. The project is supported in significant part through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
Beatty leads the annual congressional appropriations request for HOME and has worked to maintain and strengthen the tax credit program. Both programs are designed to use government resources alongside private investment to create and preserve affordable homes.
The groundbreaking also follows the enactment of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which contains six bills championed by Beatty. The broader package is intended to give communities more options for increasing housing supply, attracting investment, improving housing counseling and financial education, supporting community financial institutions and helping affordable housing projects move from the planning stage into construction.
Opportunity Pointe itself brings together a large group of public, private and community partners. They include Columbus State Community Partners, Woda Cooper Companies, the City of Columbus, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Rocky Mountain Community Reinvestment Corporation and additional financial and community organizations.
With construction now moving ahead, supporters say the $51 million project represents one response to a much larger housing shortage facing Central Ohio while also creating affordable options directly connected to the Columbus State campus.
