Politics
Columbus Council Reviews Ordinances on Housing Funds, Recycling Expansion and Trail Design
Council members have introduced measures directing nearly $7 million in HOME funds, $100,000 in LinkUs funding and $450,000 in budget amendments toward specific local projects.
How we reported this
Columbus City Council is reviewing five measures sponsored by individual members that would allocate public funds to housing assistance, recycling services, trail design and park planning. The proposals include Ordinance 0245-2026 for a Yes In God's Backyard Pilot Program, Ordinance 0237-2026 to expand recycling to city facilities, Ordinance 0103-2026 for East Side Rail Trail design, a legislative package appropriating nearly $7 million of HOME entitlement funds, and a budget amendment adding $450,000 for two park designs.
These items address services that directly affect daily routines for Columbus residents, including access to transit, waste collection at public buildings, and opportunities for affordable home ownership. Each ordinance or package was introduced by a named council member and targets defined geographic areas or city-wide operations within Columbus.
Housing assistance and city facility services
Councilmember Tiara N. Ross is sponsoring a legislative package that would appropriate nearly $7 million of HOME entitlement funds for debt forgiveness and affordable home ownership opportunities for residents at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche is sponsoring Ordinance 0237-2026 to expand Columbus's recycling services to all city facilities as phase one of a multi-phase initiative. These steps would apply to households meeting the income threshold and to waste handling at municipal locations.
Transit connections and park planning
Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer is appropriating $100,000 of LinkUs funding via Ordinance 0103-2026 for the design of the three-mile East Side Rail Trail Project, which would connect over 17,000 residents to COTA's rapid transit network. Council will amend the mayor's proposed budget to include $450,000 to support the design of Freedom Park and Joanne Park in the Westland and Northeast areas. Council President Shannon G. Hardin is sponsoring Ordinance 0245-2026 to establish the Yes In God's Backyard Pilot Program as part of Columbus Forward.
The council is expected to continue consideration of the ordinances and budget amendment in upcoming sessions. No additional timeline or outcome is stated in the introduced measures.