Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the inaugural members of its Advisory Committee on Affordable, Equitable, and Sustainable Housing. The Committee will provide non-binding advice to FHFA on how its regulated entities(Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks) can best serve as a reliable and responsible source of liquidity and funding for housing finance and community investment, including both single-family and multifamily housing. AHT is proud to announce that it’s President and CEO Lark Mallory has been selected to serve! Representatives from various fields were sought out to focus on an array of housing topics, including fair housing, tenant advocacy, single-family and multifamily lending and servicing, affordable housing development, capital markets, and technology. Click below to read more!

🌈 Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion at the Pride Parade! 🌈 AHT was thrilled to participate in this year's Pride Parade! It was an incredible experience filled with joy, unity, and a vibrant celebration of our diverse community. At AHT, we believe that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels empowered to be their true selves. Participating in the Pride Parade is just one way we show our support for the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for equality and acceptance. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to the organizers for making this event so special. Let's continue to champion diversity, foster inclusivity, and spread love and positivity in everything we do.

AHT is proud to share that our President and CEO, Lark Mallory, has been selected as one of the Columbus Business First Power 125 for 2024.   This annual ranking highlights the region’s most influential leaders. This year’s list has gown and now features 125 local leaders who are driving the future of success in Central Ohio. Congratulations to all the honorees!

AHT is proud to share that JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced a $10 Million commitment to support affordable housing in the central Ohio region.  “Central Ohio is on the verge of rapid growth and development. The data tells us that almost half of Ohioans are housing cost-burdened,” said Lark Mallory, President and CEO of the Affordable Housing Trust. “We also know that we aren’t building enough units for our current residents let alone the new population expected. It is imperative that we engage housing solutions with a comprehensive and holistic approach. This new investment by JPMorgan Chase symbolizes a shared commitment to confront the housing challenges facing our communities.” “Access to affordable housing is key to driving economic opportunity but is out of reach for far too many people,” said Corrine Burger, Columbus Location Leader for JPMorgan Chase. “We are proud to work in partnership with community members, government officials and our employees to strengthen the local economy across Ohio, and this commitment deepens that investment to ensure more residents have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.” It is imperative that we engage housing solutions with a comprehensive and holistic approach. The ultimate objective is to further the successes of affordable housing initiatives in Columbus and Franklin County and beyond. The affordable housing ecosystem is constantly evolving, and organizations must adapt and think more broadly as the community strives to find solutions for the housing challenges we face. Click below to read more.

Council Academy: This month's Council Academy aims to assist the community in accessing affordable housing resources while answering your immediate questions. Councilmember Shayla Favor, who has led Council's "Housing For All" initiative, will be joined by city officials to highlight what is available amid this affordable housing crisis. If you are interested in attending, please email Harrison Poku-Yeboah at hapoku-yeboah@columbus.gov

Check out AHT's most recent newsletter! Click below to read about our highlights from 2023 and what's in store for the future!

AHT was proud to host Majora Carter, Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, author, and urban revitalization strategist at a luncheon for our Emerging Developers Accelerator Program this afternoon. Thank you, Majora for your transformative work and dedication to community revitalization and economic development. Read more about Majora and her work in her book, “Reclaiming Your Community” at https://lnkd.in/eBPVsaER

AHT is grateful to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for their continued support of the Emerging Developers Accelerator Program. The goal of this program is to increase the number of affordable housing units by engaging more underrepresented developers, particularly women and developers of color. In doing so, we will help reduce socioeconomic inequities by increasing the financial capacity of emerging developers engaged in projects that transform neighborhoods in Columbus and Franklin County. This goal could not be achieved without the support of generous partners like Chase.

Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of Black people in America and beyond. This month is devoted to highlighting the rich heritage and distinctive experiences of all Black Americans. Each year, a theme is selected for this special awareness month. In 2024, the theme is African Americans and the Arts. This theme focuses on the profound influence of Black Americans on aspects of art and culture. As February comes to an end, we reflect on how we can honor black history this month and beyond. Click below to learn more about local artists and exhibits that celebrate Black culture and experiences and how you can engage and support.  

AHT is proud to share that President and CEO Lark Mallory has been named Homeport’s 2024 Voice and Vision Award Recipient. This award acknowledges Lark’s unwavering resolve to find sustainable and equitable housing solutions for Central Ohio’s most vulnerable populations. Congratulations, Lark. Thank you for all you do to advance the mission of AHT and support affordable housing measures across the region.