Housing and Utilities
Campus Support
Columbus State does not offer any on-campus housing or shelters, however, the information below may help in your search.
Renter Mentor
Need help understanding where to start?
Renter Mentor assists landlords and tenants through housing processes and provides them access to needed supportive services. Jerry Valentine, Founder & CEO, is a certified U.S. Housing Consultant with the National Association of Home Builders and brings extensive affordable housing knowledge and experience from his former employment with the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA).
Renter Mentor will be on-site in the Student Advocacy Center to provide comprehensive housing counseling, referral, and coordination services that promote self-sufficiency and boost academic progress for Columbus State Students.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH RENTER MENTOR
Scholar House
Community Properties of Ohio offers the Columbus Scholar House (CSH) program, providing subsidized housing that has been designated specifically for full-time students who are parents or former foster youth and are enrolled in an Ohio accredited institution of higher learning.
Student Parent Housing
Community Properties of Ohio offers the Columbus Scholar House (CSH) program, providing subsidized housing that has been designated specifically for full-time students who are parents, and are enrolled in an Ohio accredited institution of higher learning.
To qualify, students must:
- Be income qualified for Section 8 Housing
- Have full custodial custody of their child or children
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at Columbus State (or other participating accredited Ohio institution of higher learning)
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
For more information and to apply please view the
Scholar House I & II Flyer
Former Foster Youth Housing
The Columbus Scholar House III is affordable housing for former foster youth, ages 18-24, pursuing full-time Higher Education and maintaining at least a 2.5 overall GPA.
Scholar House III is currently seeking applicants, is conveniently located a mile away from Columbus State, and includes 30 fully furnished apartment units.
For more information and to apply please view the
Scholar House III Flyer
Community Support
Facing Homelessness, Eviction & Foreclosure
Homelessness
WHILE ACCESSING A SHELTER MAY FEEL INTIMIDATING, IT IS OFTEN THE FASTEST ROUTE TO
STABLE HOUSING
In Columbus and Franklin County, ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) and CoC (Continuum
of Care) funded homeless assistance (along with homeless assistance funded by other
federal, state and local resources) is prioritized for households that meet HUD’s
Category 1 (Literally Homeless) criteria because of resource constraints (HUD Exchange
2022).
Learn more about HUD's Four Categories of Homelessness
Community Shelter Board Warming Station List
All Warming Stations can contact Mount Carmel Outreach Program at any time for follow‐up on shelter access, anyone in crisis, or if they need to contact the Street to Housing Outreach Collaborative (SHOC) on any outreach related issues – 614-512-2483.
Lutheran Social Services 211
LSS211 is a 24 hour resource that allows those seeking assistance to call and speak with a representative to determine the best supports accessible in their area.
Dial 211 or visit the LSS211 Resource Database for help
Street Card
This Street Card may help homeless or housing insecure individuals connect with a variety of Franklin County resources to address issues related to housing, healthcare, legal assistance, food insecurity, employment, and more.
Eviction & Foreclosure
| Agency / Program | Provided SERvices |
|---|---|
Save the Dream Ohio - Mortgage Assistance |
Save the Dream Ohio provides assistance to Ohio homeowners facing foreclosure and/or who cannot afford to pay their mortgage payments or other related housing costs as a result of economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is administered by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, and is expected to continue through September 30, 2025 or until the available funding is depleted. |
Legal Aid Society of Columbus |
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Impact Community Action |
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Columbus Urban League |
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Community Mediation Services |
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Job & Family Services |
Prevention Retention & Contingency - PRCFranklin County's Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) program provides one-time financial assistance (up to $1500) to aid with emergency situations. Applicants must have at least one minor child or a pregnant woman living in their home and be at or below 165% of poverty to qualify for PRC one-time emergency assistance. |
Affordable Housing & Housing Choice Vouchers
| Agency / Program | Provided Services |
|---|---|
Affordable Housing Database |
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Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority |
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Community Properites of Ohio |
Affordable housing for income-eligible families |
Transition-Age Youth Housing Support (17-24)
Huckleberry House
The Huck House goal is to support young people and families struggling with tough situations like homelessness, substance abuse, poverty, and violence. Because everyone’s problems are unique, they offer a variety of programs that can help.
The Huck House progams below assist students ages 17-24
A street-based counseling, support, and case management program that brings Huck House services to youth on their own turf.
2216 Bancroft St. Columbus, Oh 43219
614-826-3630
Up to 18 months of housing combined with programs designed to help develop the skills and confidence to live a successful & independent life.
please note this program has a waitlist
614-294-8097
Star House
Star House offers young people a safe respite from the streets, immediate access to basic needs and connections to stabilizing resources, such as housing, transportation, health care, employment, education, addiction services, legal aid, government benefits, ID cards and more.
Safe respite and a chance to thrive
Star House's drop-in center is open 24/7/365 days a year, providing immediate access to safe respite for youth experiencing homelessness. Youth are provided access to food, clothing, hygiene items, laundry facilities, showers and a safe place to be.
Beyond basic needs, our clinical team provides therapy and case management, and partner agencies provide on-site and community-based access to stabilizing resources, such as housing, transportation, health care, employment, education, addiction services, legal aid, government benefits, ID cards and more.
Home and a chance to thrive
Star House provides social services at Carol Stewart Village.
Carol Stewart Village (CSV) is a neighborhood for young adults, ages 18-24, with on-site programs and services. CSV offers 62 studio apartments with on-site access to transitional jobs, education, health care, mental health and addiction services and social connections through mentorships, peer support and community engagement options.
Thanks to project-based vouchers provided by CMHA, residents have the opportunity to live at CSV for up to seven years while they acquire the credentials and experience necessary to thrive in long- term housing stability.
Utilities
Assistance is available for gas, electric, water, and sewer charges. The assistance may be in the form of a reduction of your bill and/or a set amount based on your income to be paid each month or one-time aid payments towards eligible bills.
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
- Gas
- Electric
- Water
- Home Weatherization
Apartment Hunting/Seeking Housing?
The following links are provided for your convenience and should not be considered an endorsement for any particular listing. Please be aware that the information provided may not be complete and may not include all available options. These links are also subject to change. Contact each apartment/housing company for full and current information.
OSU Off CAMPUS Housing Search Tool |
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General Search Tools |