Efforts in Columbus to address the shortage in affordable housing appear to be making a difference, though the momentum must be maintained.

According to the 2025 Gap Report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, there is a deficit of 264,083 rental units that are affordable and available to the 438,108 extremely low-income households in the Buckeye State. That’s an improvement over last year, when the shortage was 267,382.

“The new housing programs that Ohio created in the last budget bill are having a positive impact, even as pandemic-era housing assistance expired and rents continued rising,” said COHHIO Executive Director Amy Riegel. “Fortunately, the General Assembly has another opportunity this spring to maintain forward momentum by including the Home Matters to Ohio platform in the next state budget bill.”

That platform seeks improvement in the Ohio Low Income Housing Tax Credit, fortification of the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, strengthened local protections for tenants, local zoning reforms and implementation of “other policies designed to promote housing stability for all Ohioans.”

That’s a big ask. But lawmakers must not be overwhelmed. One piece at a time — in a way that both serves those in need of affordable housing AND allows lawmakers to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars — they can make a difference with programs and policy.

“There is no path to addressing the housing crisis for the lowest-income renters that doesn’t involve increasing resources for assistance and supporting the agencies that administer our housing program,” said NLIHC Interim President and CEO Renee Willis.

Perhaps. But lawmakers must be prudent in ensuring any assistance offered is truly effective. With an eye toward improving access to affordable housing AND improving the state’s economy in a way that lifts all Ohioans, we can keep moving forward.