It's been awhile—and we still need zoning reform.
Housing, land use, and zoning are front and center in a new and exciting way
Since our last email in March, the housing and land use landscape in Central Ohio has continued to evolve. When’s the last time you remember zoning being such a hot topic? (Answer: never). For many reasons, the idea of reforming how housing is provisioned, permitted, and distributed is top of mind for many individuals and coalitions.
But with so much else happening domestically and internationally, a movement focused on local housing and zoning code reform can risk seeming a bit trivial. Despite this risk, the housing crisis is real and there are serious consequences to chronic under-building. The current market-oriented approach isn’t working — we need deep interventions that increase access to housing at all levels.
Neighbors for More Neighbors Columbus also realizes that the gravity of social and economic issues is highly dependent on context and scale. For many in Central Ohio, the reality that the vast majority of land in our region is currently zoned to allow only single-family homes may not seem problematic at first glance. Only through a closer look are the unjust historic legacies and unsustainable futures of a single-family home dominated housing strategy revealed. We strive to contextualize the issues, in terms of the climate emergency or farmland preservation just to name two, but the topic of re-legalizing multi-family housing doesn’t appeal to everyone. And that’s fine.
But for those of us who see housing production, preservation, and abundance as central to the inter-connected nature of dozens of other social ills, we believe strongly that making housing easier to build is a critical step toward a more equitable, sustainable, and livable future in Central Ohio. There are many caveats and details where like-minded supporters of housing abundance may disagree on certain projects, but we can always find points of collaboration instead of striving for unattainable ideological purity. Check out our website to reacquaint yourself with the values and platform of our movement — and see where you fit in best.
Density is part of Central Ohio’s legacy.
Have you seen our multi-family housing photo gallery? We’ve scoured the web for photographs that demonstrate how multi-family housing options are normal, appropriate, and even integral to Central Ohio’s built heritage. Take a look or submit your own photo today.
Recent-ish Housing News
- Going smaller to solve a huge problem
22 July 2022, Columbus Business First - Columbus homebuilding lags amid surging demand
29 June 2022, Axios Columbus - Ohio bill bars ‘corporate slumlords’ from bidding on foreclosed homes
22 July 2022, WCMH NBC4 Columbus - Investors buy nearly one out of four Columbus-area homes in first quarter of 2022
5 July 2022, Columbus Dispatch - City proposing $1.5B bond package on Nov. 8 ballot, including $200M toward housing
27 June 2022, Columbus Dispatch - Real estate investment firms are crowding the housing market in Columbus and similar cities
24 May 2022, WOSU
Be featured on our supporters page
Are you a vocal supporter of the abundant housing movement? Do you believe renters and new neighbors are a social gain rather than a burden? If you’re willing to share your good housing vibes, let us know. Check out some of our current supporters online.
Show your neighbors you support more housing and welcome new residents!
Brighten up your yard or window with one of our colorful signs. Contact us to arrange a pick-up or delivery!
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