LVL With Us

Career affordable housing consultant Roy Lowenstein joins us for this month's bonus 'sode to lend crucial context to the conversation around zoning reform and the trepidation behind some of its opposition. Sources: https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/2020/12/03/black-columbus-ohio-residents-stories-systemic-racism/3644308001/ https://www.dispatch.com/in-depth/lifestyle/2020/12/03/black-columb...

The City has released some proposed changes to Columbus' 70-year-old zoning code, looking to increase density in our urban core, enable construction of taller buildings, and reuse older buildings. The changes have a projected outcome of 88,000 new units of housing, a big step toward addressing our housing shortage and preparing for an unforeseen population increase. With Erin Prosser, Deputy Direc...

It's been two months since the Maude Hill Growing Homeownership Fund launched to give Black and other people of color the funding boost they need to purchase their first home. In this bonus episode, Anna Teye-Kasongo, director of CONVERGENCE, is back on LVL With Us with an update on the impact of the fund this far and where it's expected to go from here.

Today, we're with Lydia Daniels and Jillian Kent with the Columbus Financial Empowerment Center and Mark Childs, Homeport Resident Services Program Manager. Together we discuss the financial challenges residents and Central Ohioans at large are facing. And we dive into the free resources out there for folks of all income levels to get guidance in becoming financially fit or assistance with these t...

Welcome to LVL With Us, the bonus 'sode. We’re back with Michael Corey, CEO of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. We're doing a deep dive on the local implications of climate change, how we can expect Central Ohio to grow and change, and what individuals and businesses can do to make their homes and buildings more energy efficient and sustainable. Sources: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-...

From workforce shortages to stagnating government funding to worker burnout, the nonprofit sector has its share of challenges meeting the increasing demand for services in the last four years. Individuals and families are trying to navigate the continuously rising cost of living and the aftermath of the pandemic, and nonprofits are doing what they can with what they have to lend support. We sat do...

This week, we’re taking a deep dive into the Maude Hill Growing Homeownership Fund – a fund to provide Black and minority prospective buyers with the financial assistance to offset some costs related to purchasing a home. Hear from Anna Teye-Kasongo of CONVERGENCE Columbus; Columbus City Council members Nick Bankston and Lourdes Barroso de Padilla; Leah Evans, President & CEO of Homeport; Wend...

In this episode, we talk about the barriers to Black home ownership and how the Columbus chapter of CONVERGENCE is working to overcome them. We're joined by Anna Teye-Kasongo, director of CONVERGENCE Columbus, and Netta Whitman, Director of Home Advisory Services for Homeport. LVL With Us is recorded, edited, and produced by Lauren Sega, Homeport's Manager of Communications. For more information a...

Welcome to LVL With Us, the bonus 'sode. Today we’re back with Carlie Boos, President and CEO of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO). We’re learning more about the zoning code, the challenges central Ohioans are facing regarding wages and housing affordability, and how some programs in Columbus have offered potential solutions. LVL With Us is recorded, edited, and produced by L...

In this episode, we sat down with Carlie Boos, president and CEO of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO), and Leah F. Evans, president and CEO of Homeport. Together, we discussed what affordable housing is, the challenges to creating more of it, and the solutions organizations like AHACO and Homeport are bringing to the table. LVL With Us is recorded, edited, and produced by Lau...