Community Resources

Community Shelter Board (CSB) activates the Winter Response Plan to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness have access to safe shelter during severe winter weather conditions.

In Franklin County, there are still resources to help pay rent, stop eviction, or navigate a financial hardship. But those tools can be confusing and hard to find.

This website provides simple, reliable, and easy-to-access links to the Central Ohio programs that keep us safe at home. This website also dispels common myths, provides eviction info customized to Franklin County, and highlights some of the places you can go to get even more help.

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) works to help low- and moderate-income households maintain and improve their homes through repair and energy efficiency (weatherization) programs.

Each program has different eligibility requirements, so please review the information below to determine which program meets your needs. If you apply and are ineligible, MORPC staff will redirect you to other resources.

The Minor Home Repair Program provides services that contribute to a safe and secure living environment for Franklin County seniors.

To learn more, call (614) 525-6200 or visit officeonaging.org.

Lead poisoning is the greatest environmental threat to children in Columbus. If your home was built before 1978, there is a good chance it has lead-based paint.

The city has grant funds available to homeowners help with lead abatement! Check out program qualifications and apply at columbus.gov/leadsafecolumbus

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) offers free noncriminal legal help for people with low income, veterans, and seniors in 36 counties. We work every day to make sure you are treated fairly. Have a legal question about family law, housing, public benefits, or another noncriminal issue? Contact us.

Did you know eligible first-time homebuyers in the City of Columbus can get up to $14,999 for downpayment and closing costs? Click the link below to learn more!

The Columbus Water& Power (CWP) discount program is a utility assistance program for CWP customers. It is aimed at creating more affordable and equitable access to public utilities for Columbus residents.

If eligible, power customers can receive a onetime $50 credit and a 25% discount on their power usage. Water customers who are eligible can receive a one-time $65 credit and 25% discount on water usage. Seniors 60 and older can also qualify to have their service charges waived.

Apply online: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/94a828a951794d1c84b469d04d93e3e4

This comprehensive list provides information on the City’s housing resources: homeowner services, housing finance, water and sewer, and energy efficiency and clean energy programs.