Join COHHIO's advocacy team and guests to get 30-minute update on homelessness and housing policy developments in Columbus and Washington D.C.

Date & Time

• May 20, 2025 03:00 PM

• Jun 3, 2025 03:00 PM

• Jun 17, 2025 03:00 PM

• Jul 1, 2025 03:00 PM

• Jul 15, 2025 03:00 PM

• Jul 29, 2025 03:00 PM

• Aug 12, 2025 03:00 PM

• Aug 26, 2025 03:00 PM

• Sep 9, 2025 03:00 PM

• Sep 23, 2025 03:00 PM

• Oct 7, 2025 03:00 PM

• Oct 21, 2025 03:00 PM

• Nov 4, 2025 03:00 PM

• Nov 18, 2025 03:00 PM

• Dec 2, 2025 03:00 PM

• Dec 16, 2025 03:00 PM

• Dec 30, 2025 03:00 PM

Surprised by your recent property tax bill? You might not be alone. Ohio ranks 13th in the nation for local tax rates, and as property values rise, many regional homeowners are feeling a pinch. While Ohio schools take a big slice of tax revenues, property taxes also fund a long list of other critical services that communities want and need. But what’s driving property tax increases? Where exactly does the money go? Can something be done to help ease the blow to Ohio property owners? From restructuring policies to rethinking tax breaks, our panel will break down Ohio’s property tax puzzle with a look who pays, who benefits, and what happens next.

Featuring Greg Lawson, Research Fellow, The Buckeye Institute; Michael D. Cole, President, Columbus City School Board; Michael Stinziano, Franklin County Auditor, and with moderator Anna Staver, State Government & Politics Reporter, Cleveland.com/The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

If you’ve ever seen a promising development project stall—or collapse—because of zoning, permitting, or public opposition, you know that entitlements can make or break a deal.

In this fast-paced, 90-minute webinar, "Demystifying Real Estate Entitlements: A Practical Guide for Economic Developers," we’ll dive deep into the real-world mechanics of entitlements—from rezoning and site plan approvals to permitting delays and incentive timing.

Date:              Thursday, May 8, 2025

Time:              11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Brought to you from the Ohio Economic Development Institute and Montrose Group LLC, this webinar will feature real case studies, interactive discussion, and lessons learned from the field.

How do we move from bold fair housing commitments to real, lasting change?    Join PolicyLink and partners for a powerful, solutions-driven conversation that moves beyond theory and into action. From Policy to Power is not your typical AFFH 101 — this webinar will equip you with the insights, tools, and strategies to help your city or state lead the way in building durable, community-centered approaches to advancing Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH).    This is your opportunity to hear from national leaders and local changemakers shaping the future of housing equity — from hard-won lessons to model implementation practices.    Why You Should Attend:  • Learn how to identify opportunities in your own community including tools and model practices.  • Get inspired by real-world strategies from jurisdictions taking bold action — including community-government partnerships.  • Engage directly with advocates, organizers, and policy experts on overcoming the biggest barriers to implementation.  Featured Speakers Include:  • Rasheedah Phillips, PolicyLink  • Demetria McCain, NAACP Legal Defense Fund  • Thomas Silverstein, Poverty & Race Research Action Council  • Margaretta Lin, Just Cities  • Monique King-Viehland, MKV Zithande Consulting • City of Richmond Representatives  Whether you’re a housing advocate, local leader, policymaker, or community-based organizer, this session is for you. Come ready to learn, share, and move from policy ideas to powerful action. 

Join the Native CDFI Network for a ‘NCN Live’ discussion featuring the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s
(NCRC), President and CEO, Jesse Van Tol, and Senior Policy Advisor, Kevin Hill. This webinar will provide critical updates on the status and future of the revised Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rule, including what potential changes or a full rescission could mean for Native CDFis and other mission-driven lenders.

As the CRA landscape continues to shift, our speakers will offer expert insights into the regulatory and legal developments shaping its future. They will also examine the implications for community-focused finance and share guidance on how Native CDFis can prepare for and respond to these evolving circumstances.

Effective street outreach begins with a strong foundation in data. Quantitative data helps identify demographic and geographic patterns in unsheltered homelessness, uncover resource gaps, highlight disparities, and measure the effectiveness of interventions. Equally important, qualitative data provides critical insights that shape broader strategies and ensure outreach efforts are responsive to community needs. This webinar will explore how combining quantitative and qualitative data can be used to analyze impact, drive informed decision-making, improve outcomes, and support more strategic, housing-focused outreach efforts.

NOTE: AHACO & CONVERGENCE Members may contact staff for a free registration code

Join us for an insightful discussion on how local nonprofit organizations, lenders, and industry professionals are collaborating to address housing supply challenges, expand homeownership opportunities, and bridge systemic barriers in housing finance. This session will highlight innovative strategies and real-world solutions from CONVERGENCE cities, featuring perspectives from nonprofit leaders, mortgage professionals, and other key stakeholders.

Date/Time:

• Wednesday, April 30 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET)

Objectives:

• Understand the value of nonprofit partnerships in housing finance

• Identify opportunities to support emerging developers 

• Leverage digital tools and community programs to expand homeownership

• Apply lessons learned from CONVERGENCE cities

• Implement best practices from CONVERGENCE cities to expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities in their markets

Experience Level:

• Entry-Level

• Intermediate

• Advanced 

Target Audience:

• Branch Managers and Heads of Production

• Loan Officers and Loan Officer Assistants

• Underwriting Managers and Underwriters

• Processors

• Closers

Speaker(s):

• D.J. Valentine, Vice President , Community Lending Mortgage Sales Manager, The Huntington National Bank (moderator)

• Carlie Boos, Executive Director, AHACO and CONVERGENCE Columbus

• Brody Wamble, Community Affairs Officer, Simmons Bank

• Leslie Russell Winder, Director, Community & Economic Development, Urban Affairs Coalition and CONVERGENCE Philadelphia 

About the Webinar

Date & Time: April 30, 2025 (1-2:15 PM Eastern)

Nearly 450,000 infants and toddlers are estimated to be experiencing homelessness in the US, and new data show homelessness is increasing at a time when access to housing and early childhood development programs are decreasing.

Join SchoolHouse Connection for the release of our second-annual report, Infant & Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States: 2022-2023.

We will share key findings, recommendations for federal, state, and local leaders, and hear from national partners and local providers about the impacts of homelessness on young children and strategies to combat it.

Presenters:

• Erin Patterson – Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, SchoolHouse Connection

• Patricia Cole – Senior Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE

• Kate Barrand – President & CEO, Horizons for Homeless Children

• Tyese Lawyer – President & CEO, Our House

Single Family Tax Credit Public Forum

OHFA invites you to participate in a forum to present your comments on the draft 2026-2027 Single Family Tax Credit Allocation Plan. 

Individuals may attend in person or online via Microsoft Teams. The meeting information is below:

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

In-person: Ohio Housing Finance Agency

2600 Corporate Exchange Drive, Second Floor Committee Room

Columbus, OH 43231

Microsoft Teams: Join Here 

Participants will be given the opportunity to express their views about the updates to the draft Allocation Plan.

Date: Friday, April 25, 2025Time: 12:15 pm ET

Location: Virtual

Speaker(s): Lingxuan Sean Wu

In recent decades, many places—including Singapore, Hong Kong, and mainland China—have funded infrastructure investments by selling or leasing land to private investors. Meyer Fellow and PhD candidate Lingxuan Sean Wu will discuss his research, which examines these efforts (and similar policies used in the United States in the 19th century), uses the history to develop a model of land finance and investment-led growth, and proposes approaches that might result in more effective and efficient policies for land finance and infrastructure investment. 

Have lunch on us as well as earn 2 hours of CE credit while hearing from a panel on Downpayment Assitance Programs. Enter to win a door prize at the check in table*!

Doors will open a 11:30 a.m.

Lunch will start at noon.

Introduction and drawing for door prize will be at 12:45 p.m. followed by panel discussion.

* One entry per person. Must be present to win. No purchase necessary.

Join us for the Ohio Women’s Affordable Housing Network’s Annual Celebration & Awards Ceremony, where we come together to recognize the outstanding contributions of women in affordable housing. This year, we’re thrilled to partner with the Ohio Housing Council, which is hosting its Spring Symposium at the Ohio Statehouse the day before our event. That means two days of engaging discussions, impactful networking, and a shared commitment to advancing affordable housing in Ohio. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate achievements, connect with industry leaders, and be part of the movement shaping the future of housing in our state.

Register now to secure your spot—we can’t wait to see you there!

Please Note: We're starting an hour earlier than originally planned.

Join COHHIO’s next biweekly advocacy webinar Tuesday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m. to get the latest on state and federal policy and an update on the fight to save the Ohio Housing Trust Fund.

Register

The House's version of the biennial budget would effectively eliminate the OHTF, the primary source of state funding for local homelessness and affordable housing programs. But there's still time to stand up for OHTF as the budget moves to the Ohio Senate.

Join COHHIO's Advocacy Team for a 30-minute policy update and get the latest on efforts to defend the OHTF, and developments at the federal level.

The COHHIO Team

Did you know that all local educational agencies are required to reserve a portion of their Title I Part A funds to serve students experiencing homelessness? These funds can be used in many ways, including to support the salary of the school district liaison or other homeless education positions, defray the cost of transportation (including by providing gas cards and limited car repairs), store cards, supplies, and more. Bring your questions and innovative examples!

Who should attend: Homeless education liaisons, state McKinney-Vento coordinators, state and local Title I administrators, school budget/finance office staff, school board members, and others.

Presenters:

• Erin Patterson – Director of Education Initiatives, SchoolHouse Connection

• Dr. Patricia Popp – Virginia Education for Homeless Children & Youth Coordinator

• Lisa Ann H. Abernathey – Education Specialist, McKinney-Vento, Henrico County Public Schools, Virginia

• Andrea Leon Foster – Director of Federal Programs, Sunnyside Unified School District

• Aracelli Mendoza – Program Specialist, Federal Programs, Sunnyside Unified School District

Join us for an evening of socializing with friends interrupted by a Q&A with Hanif and an introduction into the work Families Flourish does in Central Ohio - including appetizers, a cash bar, and a book table with Two Dollar Radio. We're excited to have you join our conversation!

Join us as we celebrate Judge John Hoffman, Jr. and his remarkable contributions to Legal Aid's Bankruptcy Program as he approaches retirement. This special evening will feature a heartfelt tribute in his honor.

Tickets: $50 per person | Auction and proceeds to benefit Legal Aid's Bankruptcy Program 

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Judge Hoffman and support a vital cause. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025Time: 12:15 pm ET

Location: Virtual

Speaker(s): Don Layton, Chris Herbert

There is one high-stakes question dominating US housing finance today: will Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) which have long been the backbone of America’s mortgage markets, exit conservatorship? Conservatorship is an obscure legal status where the government controls the companies instead of their stockholders and, if Fannie and Freddie exit, what could that mean for the mortgage market, taxpayers, and homebuyers?

Don Layton, former CEO of Freddie Mac and former Senior Industry Fellow at the Center, and JCHS Managing Director Chris Herbert will walk through how we got here, why the GSEs have long faced an identity crisis, and what’s at stake in the push to privatize that, if done poorly, could make mortgages much more expensive and much less readily available.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Co-sponsored by the Building Caucus at Harvard Kennedy School and the Infrastructure & Housing Club at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

The OHTF is a cornerstone of housing stability and community development in Ohio — and right now, it’s at risk. This webinar will help participants understand why the Trust Fund is so essential, what changes could mean for the field, and what we can all do to advocate for its protection.

Council President Shannon Hardin and Council Pro Tem Rob Dorans, Chair of the Zoning Committee, will host a public hearing to review proposed zoning map and code updates along the SR-161 corridor in Northland. The hearing will also include an overview of community feedback received from the ongoing 60-day public comment period.

To submit written testimony or sign up to speak, email Kevin McCain at kbmccain@columbus.gov by 3 p.m. on April 14.

Additionally, Residents are encouraged to visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate to review the proposed changes and submit feedback before the comment period ends on Saturday, May 10. 

2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan

Public Hearing

Monday, April 14th at 10:00 am

Michael J. Dorrian Building
Commissioners Hearing Room

369 South High Street,
Columbus OH 43215

Please join us to learn about the Franklin County Five-Year Consolidated Plan and help determine the County's priority needs for the next five years. Participants will be asked to identify the most urgent housing, homelessness, and community development needs for the Franklin County community.

Questions? Contact us at communitydevelopment@franklincountyohio.gov

If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Franklin County Community Development team, you can update your subscription preferences at the link below. 

Navigating the local, state and federal political landscape can be confusing and intimidating. However, advocacy efforts are necessary in order to push forward policies and legislation that promote positive change and innovation to addressing homelessness in communities across the country. Some may not share the same viewpoints of how America ends homelessness. Lawmakers frequently hear from several constituents and special interest groups daily. Everyone wants their time and attention. How can advocates supporting housing justice stand out? What are some ways to provide accurate yet compelling information to lawmakers? In this virtual conversation, hear from experts across the country on proven methods for educating lawmakers that nurtures trust, long-standing relationships and open dialogue.

At least 40 million American households—including half of all renters—spend more on housing than they can afford. Many lower-income renters are just scraping by, often sacrificing necessities like food and healthcare to pay the rent. And the number who are homeless is surging: 770,000 people, according to a 2024 count, many of whom have jobs but still can’t afford housing. Join Marcia Fudge, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as she talks with Howard Koh, chair of Harvard Chan School’s Initiative on Health and Homelessness, about the forces driving the housing crisis and ways to make housing more affordable. 

Urban environments today face outdated infrastructure, unequal resource distribution, and unsustainable practices, limiting community growth and well-being. This presentation introduces the PLACE framework—People-Centered Design, Localized Intelligence, Accessibility and Equity, Connected Systems, and Environmental Sustainability—as a transformative solution powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing from nearly two decades of experience, our presenter will demonstrate how AI-driven insights and affordable technology can enhance placemaking efforts, ensuring sustainable and equitable urban development. Attendees will learn how to implement AI-integrated PLACE initiatives in their own communities, understand the financial and logistical considerations, and commit to collaborative efforts that drive meaningful change. By the end of this session, delegates will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to leverage AI within the PLACE framework, fostering smarter and more inclusive cities. ?