LVL With Us

For the first episode of season 2 and the new year, I am joined by Twyla Wellmaker, outreach and youth system manager at the Community Shelter Board, and Steve Skovensky, their chief program effectiveness officer. Together they were able to give me a broad view of our unhoused and unsheltered, who they are, the factors contributing to their homelessness, and what can be done by the city, and by us as individuals, to help those experiencing homelessness. Join us in February for a deeper dive on youth homelessness, its causes and factors, and potential solutions.

Sources for this episode:

https://www.csb.org/news-and-publications/publications

Register for Community Shelter Board's point-in-time count:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNy_nRVNOMnjRpcbjq7uEYe3zQRodbghezmPP9eUwXioPaYg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Learn how to get involved with Homeport:

https://www.homeportohio.org/action/volunteer

As incredible as it seems, 2024 is already nearing its end, and to wrap up this season of LVL With Us, I’ve invited Homeport president & CEO Leah Evans to discuss the state of housing in Central Ohio as we head into the new year as well as the main priorities as our region, state, and nation face an ongoing housing crisis.

Today I am with Vincent Coleman, government affairs director with Columbus REALTORS, to discuss the state of our housing market, how recent election results will impact it, and the policies being considered on the local, state, and federal levels.

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/08/nx-s1-5134070/have-trumps-opportunity-zones-achieved-their-goal-in-detroit

https://www.columbusrealtors.com/housing-reports/

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/ohio/columbus

For this episode we're back with Michael Corey, executive director of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. He’s here to give a first look at how the local nonprofit sector is preparing for a change in presidential administrations. Former President Donald Trump won re-election on November 5. For our show, Michael puts in plain terms what that means for our health and human services organizations and the steps ahead to ensure continuity of service for our community. Stream the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/article/world/trump-administration-sets-record-low-limit-for-new-us-refugees-idUSKBN27D1UG/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/us/politics/obamacare-partial-repeal-senate-republicans-revolt.html

There’s a new Central Ohio Transit Authority (or COTA) levy coming up on the November ballot this year that, if passed, will transform Central Ohio’s transportation network: it's called LinkUs. Here on LVL With Us for episode 11 Aslyne Rodriguez, senior director of regional strategic partnerships at COTA, as well as Gayle Saunders of the LinkUs engagement team. Together, they share more about what LinkUs is, how the city, county, and COTA have collaborated to bring it to life, and what it could accomplish if voters give their support.

For this little bonus ‘sode we talk all about Lark Mallory's new venture, Mallory Economic Development Advisors LLC, how it feels to be Homeport’s 2024 Voice & Vision nominee, and just learn more about the woman behind the work.

Learn more about Voice & Vision 2024: https://www.homeportohio.org/voiceandvision

Can we build housing that is both affordable and climate resilient? In a moment when disastrous climate events are becoming more common and displacing more people than ever, it is something we must prioritize. For this episode, Lark Mallory, previously of Affordable Housing Trust, discusses the importance of building green and the billions of dollars up for grabs to ensure Ohio remains a climate haven.

Learn more about Voice & Vision 2024: https://www.homeportohio.org/voiceandvision

Sources:

https://www.ofn.org/what-is-a-cdfi/key-priorities/climate-change-and-resilience/

https://climatereadycommunities.org/learn-more/about-guidebook/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-07-10/how-the-us-can-move-people-toward-climate-havens-citylab-daily

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-10/as-heat-storms-intensify-us-climate-migrants-are-going-the-wrong-way

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/Preserving_Protecting_and_Building_Climate-Resilient_Affordable_Housing.pdf

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/briefs/housing-and-health-overview-literature

For this episode, we’re back with Roy Lowenstein, career affordable housing consultant, to go beyond zoning to see the other challenges builders, developers, officials, buyers, renters – everyone – is facing.

Sources:

https://ohiohome.org/news/newsreleases.aspx

https://www.columbus.gov/News-articles/Mayor-Ginther-Sends-2024-Capital-Budget-to-Columbus-City-Council

https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-crisis-national-shortage-construction-workers-job-demand-2024-5

For today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome Lark Mallory, former president and CEO of Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County and founder of the new Mallory Economic Development Advisors LLC. Lark is also the honoree for our 10th annual Voice & Vision celebration, taking place on October 16 at COSI this year. The theme for our event this year is “building for an equitable future,” and we knew there was no one who exemplifies that idea better than Lark Mallory.

In this episode we take a look at her accomplishments at AHT, hear her insight on Central Ohio’s growth, and talk about the steps we need to take to build for a more equitable future.

Learn more about Voice & Vision 2024: https://www.homeportohio.org/voiceandvision

For our eighth bonus ‘sode, we are back with Matt Martin for a primer on opportunity mapping and how it helps local and state governments build affordable housing in places where residents have access to jobs, health care, transit, and more.

Link to interactive opportunity mapping tool: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/704cc76e5e454a688c1051c996014fb1