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SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM COUNCILMEMBER SHAYLA FAVOR
 Photo: Columbus Business First / JEFFRY KONCZAL
During this pandemic, one thing has kept me up at night. No, it’s not the existential dread of catching COVID-19 -- it’s the fear that folks in our community will be removed from their homes because of job loss relating to this current economic collapse. I feel a deeply-rooted responsibility to do everything I can to keep families secure in their homes. Without stable housing, how are folks in Columbus supposed to pursue their American Dream?
The impact of COVID-19 on Columbus families has been extremely challenging. Since March, we have seen over 1,100 evictions filed with the Franklin County Municipal Court. While no hearings or setouts are taking place right now, experts and housing advocates expect a surge in evictions to occur when the Court opens back up on June 1.
As Chair of Council’s Housing Committee, I’m working around the clock to try and solve these problems, even with the limits on the City’s ability to intervene. I continue to hold regular meetings to chat with housing partners across the City about solutions we can work on, together. My goal is to understand the top concerns and needs of tenants, landlords, and affordable housing advocates during this time. We not only have a looming crisis with folks being potentially removed from their homes, but landlords also face essential obligations with paying their mortgages on rental properties.
We know these problems won’t go away when our economy opens back up. Tackling this crisis requires innovation and creativity from community partners and all levels of government, including from our state and federal leadership. I believe adamantly that emergency rental assistance will be vital in helping stabilize families during this time. I will continue to advocate at all levels of government on behalf of Columbus residents, and invite you to join me in these efforts. Together, I am confident we will overcome these challenges and work toward greater housing stability in Central Ohio.
Yours,
Shayla Favor
Councilmember
Council Offers Online Speaker Slip Registration and Emailed Testimony
City Council returned for its first public meeting on April 20. The virtual meeting addressed COVID-19 concerns while conducting City business. The next regular and zoning meeting is May 4, 2020. Click here to view the revised schedule.
Ohio Revised Code prohibits closed public meetings. However, COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL STRONGLY DISCOURAGES RESIDENTS FROM ATTENDING THE MEETING IN PERSON. In consideration of Ohio’s stay-at-home order, the protocols of the social distancing will be enforced. The capacity in Chambers will be drastically reduced.
Council meetings are live-streamed on CTV, the City’s YouTube channel and Facebook. Residents can also listen live. Call toll-free 1-650-479-3207. Access Code: 478 345 852
Submitting Public Testimony During Virtual Meetings
Council urges residents to submit their testimony in writing for virtual meetings.
Residents can submit written testimony for or against an ordinance to the City Clerk. It must be received by 3pm on the day of the meeting and emailed to cityclerkrequests@columbus.gov.
Residents who wish to speak during the meeting via WebEx must submit a speaker slip online. Online speaker slips can be submitted between 8am-3pm on the day of the meeting. To access the form, visit www.columbus.gov/council/information/Online-Speaker-Slip/.
During the emergency period, non-agenda speakers must submit their testimony to the City Clerk in writing by 3pm to cityclerkrequests@columbus.gov. All submitted testimony will be entered into the record.
Residents can also mail public testimony to Columbus City Council, Attn: City Clerk Speaker Testimony, 90 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. Residents should include their contact information and the ordinance number in the submission.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE OHIO OPIOID ALLIANCE
Central Ohioans have done an excellent job of practicing social distancing and staying home during the COVID-19 crisis to help keep our community and families safe. The COVID-19 pandemic is more than a physical health issue though, it’s a mental health matter that requires support and healthy coping habits during these unprecedented times. Many people within our community are facing feelings of isolation and anxiety as a result of the pandemic, and may be tempted to turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with their anxiety, loneliness and boredom.
It’s up to us all to stay connected, supportive and help one another cope in positive ways. Consider taking the “Strive for 5” statewide challenge and check-in this month with five people in your life. Talk to them and other loved ones about drug and alcohol misuse and safely secure or dispose of your prescription medications. If you’re interested in receiving safe medication disposal bags for your organization, please contact the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance at contact.us@dontliveindenial.org. For tips on how to speak to your loved ones about substance misuse, visit dontliveindenial.org.
About the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance
The Ohio Opioid Education Alliance is a coalition of business, education, nonprofit, civic and government organizations formed by the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County to educate and prevent young Ohioans from misusing and abusing opioids.
#BuyBlackThursdays encourages residents to shop small minority-owned businesses
The #BuyBlackThursdays initiative is a movement that asks residents to direct their dollars to local, minority-owned businesses on Thursdays. It also encourages the community to share their experiences and post on social media using the hashtags #BuyBlackThursdays, #BuyBlack and #ShopBlack.
Buy Black Thursdays features a growing collective of local businesses and organizations, including the Columbus Urban League, the Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce, the Baptist Ministerial Alliance, Columbus Urban League Young Professionals, My Brother’s Keeper Village, the City of Columbus and a variety of other community partners. Each group is working to spread the word and raise awareness of the need to patron minority-owned businesses in the City. Click here for a running list of businesses in need of your patronage.
The effort launched on Thursday, April 23, 2020.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works 24/7 keeping America safe from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and domestic. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease, and supports communities and citizens to do the same.
Visit the CDC website for current information on COVID-19
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