Columbus housing authority expands to Grove City; plans senior affordable housing project

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority has never built affordable housing in Grove City — until now that is.

The agency announced this week that it has financing to build a new $28.6-million apartment complex for seniors in the Columbus-area suburb.

The funding includes contributions from Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) general revenue bonds, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development , the Ohio Housing Finance Agency , and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing.

A total of 82 units will be constructed as part of Cobblestone Manor at 1050 Lamplighter Dr., eight miles south of Columbus, according to CMHA.

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The units are for low- and fixed-income older adults, and construction is slated to begin in September. Plans are to open the development in 2026.

“The need for affordable housing is especially critical for seniors in Franklin County because our elderly population is significantly increasing and is projected to grow for the foreseeable future,” said Charles Hillman, CMHA's president and CEO.

Why Grove City? It's growing.

Grove City has grown steadily since it saw a rapid increase in population in the 1960s and 1970s, according to CMHA. Between 1960 and 2020, the city's population ballooned from 8,107 to 42,366, according to Census data.

The city expects it will grow by 15,000 more by 2050.

In addition to more people, the age of people living in Grove City has changed over the years, according to CMHA.

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The fastest growing age groups currently are people under the age of 35 and over 55, according to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s Insight2050 initiative.

But there are just 12 affordable housing complexes in Grove City. Those include 188 apartments for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 755 low-income units.

The new development is much needed, according to CMHA.

What will Cobblestone Manor be like?

The planned three-story building will have 22 apartments for residents earning below 80% of the Columbus area median income, which is $55,550 for a single-person household.

The other 60 apartments will be available to people via a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher specifically for that location. Those residents are extremely low-income and to qualify must earn below 30% of the area median income, or $19,700 for a single person.

The complex will feature a fitness center, community room, coffee bar, library, computer room, outdoor patio, pond and a paved walking trail for residents. YMCA of Central Ohio will also be available as a resource to residents.

“Our aim with Cobblestone Manor is to promote healthy aging by offering rents that are reasonably priced to lower-income older adults and allowing them to have money left each month to pay for other life necessities,” Hillman said. “Providing affordable housing can help seniors free up resources to spend on other essential needs, like healthcare and food.”

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus housing authority expands to Grove City; plans senior affordable housing project