Columbus Grassroots Organizations Host Rally Calling For #ColumbusHousingForAll
Columbus, OH— In response to the growing housing crisis in Franklin County and the impending suspension of the federal eviction moratorium, Columbus Stand Up!, The Freedom Bloc, Hydrohelpers, Central Ohio Housing Action Network, Young Democratic Socialists of America, National Association of Social Workers-Ohio, Our Revolution – Central Ohio, Justice, Unity & Social Transformation, and many other organizations and community members are hosting a rally at the Columbus Convention Center to raise awareness about this issue.
In Franklin County, eviction filings have increased by 150% since 2020, and the population of unsheltered houseless people has risen by 235% since 2007. The coalition is calling for the city to implement emergency rent stabilization, halt evictions, mandate an eviction diversion program, and ensure new housing developments devote half of their units to residents that make less than $30,000 a year.
They are also demanding the city commit 30% of its budget directly to people experiencing homelessness and ensure that half of the Affordable Housing Trust Board members have direct experience with homelessness or their approved advocates. At the rally, speakers will primarily be people directly experiencing homelessness, as well as representatives from the coalition.
“We need to worry about the people not profit. Having stability is extremely important for everyone. It shouldn’t be a competition. Everyone has the right to live in a house that Is affordable, stable, and reasonable. We also need to help people, not nickel and dime them every chance they can get.” said Amira Khoury, organizing member of The Ohio State University’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society.
“Hydrohelpers is committed to tackling the housing crisis one step at a time, with the help of other great organizations and people. As someone who has experienced houselessness, food insecurity, and poverty, we know first-hand the struggle of trying to maintain your day-to-day while trying to survive. It’s not pretty, and that is why we are dedicated to help this issue. When you ignore the problem, you are saying that people who can’t provide housing are less deserving. Is that the message we want to send to the community? I don’t think so; we want to show the people that we are FOR them and not just their profits. Join us as we take a stand to help end this crisis, one house, one neighbor, one neighborhood at a time,” said Maria Holland, Owner and Founder of Hydrohelpers.
“Instead of helping struggling residents during the pandemic, city and county leadership worked to ensure that evictions could continue by moving eviction court to a larger space. The deck has long been stacked against Franklin County residents, and it’s clear our leadership has no intention of solving the problems we face. Housing is a human right, and we and our neighbors deserve better,” said Charlie Geer, Central Ohio Housing Action Network.
Columbus Stand Up! is a non-profit dedicated to mobilizing people in Central Ohio to serve the community, engage in the political process, hold elected officials accountable, and advocate for policies that will ensure everyone in our community can lead a stable life.
Who: Columbus Stand Up!, The Freedom Bloc, Hydrohelpers, Central Ohio Housing Action Network, Young Democratic Socialists of America, National Association of Social Workers-Ohio, Our Revolution – Central Ohio, Columbus DSA, and the Columbus Party for Socialism and Liberation, Justice, Unity & Social Transformation and many other organizations and community members.
What: Rally calling for #ColumbusHousingForAll
Where: Columbus Convention Center, corner of Spruce St. and N. High St. (near parking for North Market)
When: Wednesday, June 30th, 6 PM
