COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus City Council passed an ordinance in response to the Colonial Village apartment complex being condemned because of the city deeming it a public nuisance in 2021, as the complex was uninhabitable.

What You Need To Know

  • The Colonial Village Apartment Complex was condemned last year after the city deemed it a public nuisance in 2021 because the complex was uninhabitable

  • The Columbus City Council modified a grant agreement of $3 million for housing support and service coordination for the residents of Colonial Village 

  • The $3 million will go toward relocation efforts, food and nonalcoholic beverages

Months ago, hundreds of people were living in substandard conditions in units that were supposed to be vacant. They were then forced to move out and many are now homeless, working with organizations like the Community Shelter Board.

On Monday, Columbus City Council voted to pass an ordinance to modify a grant agreement of $3 million for housing support and service coordination for the residents of the Colonial Village apartment complex to the Community Shelter Board. Council member Shayla Favor, who also serves as chair of the housing committee, gave a look at where the money will go.

“City Council, we passed legislation to the tune of $3 million to support the residents, our new residents, who have been housed at Colonial Village. Those dollars will go to support relocation efforts to hotels and motels. It will also go to support food and nonalcoholic beverages for our new residents as well,” she said.

The money is being transferred from the general fund citywide account to the Department of Development general fund budget and is being declared an emergency.