About COHHIO

COHHIO has provided voice for the underrepresented for more than 30 years, originating as the Ohio Housing Coalition (formed in 1974), then merging in 1994 with the Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (formed in 1984). With a mission of ending homelessness and promoting affordable housing, COHHIO is involved in a range of housing assistance services in Ohio, including homeless prevention, emergency shelters, transitional housing and permanent affordable housing with linkages to supportive services. COHHIO assists hundreds of housing organizations and homeless service providers in Ohio through public policy advocacy, training and technical assistance, research and public education.

COHHIO's most recent successes include:

• A successful grassroots campaign for a dedicated funding source for the Ohio Housing Trust Fund. COHHIO was instrumental in getting the Housing Trust Fund established in the early 1990s and has since worked tirelessly to win dedicated funding. An increase in the recorder's fee (which was passed as part of the state's 2004 - 2005 biennial budget) funds the Housing Trust Fund at $50 million per year and provides a level of stability, as opposed to having to re-enter the state budget process every two years. COHHIO's most recent campaign (as part of the state's 2006 - 2007 biennial budget) resulted in additional funding for the Trust Fund, which now totals $53 million annually. This represents a $12-million increase over what the Governor and the House proposed.
• The culmination of a tenacious legislative battle for increased homeowner protection against predatory lending activities. COHHIO's involvement in this issue spans six years. It was an uphill battle, marked twice by defeat, in large part due to the lending industry's lobbying strength. The result is a state with the highest foreclosure rate in the country. But by working tenaciously and aggressively with community-based organizations and advocacy groups across the state, the coalition made great legislative strides. Following intense advocacy work in the latter part of 2005, the Senate passed an effective bill in February 2006. One month later, the House passed its version, a much-diluted and troublesome variation. COHHIO ratcheted up its advocacy efforts to convince House and Senate leadership of the importance of a strong consumer protection bill. As a result, Governor Bob Taft ceremoniously signed Senate Bill 185 into law on June 19, 2006. The Ohio Homebuyers' Protection Act is heralded as one of the most comprehensive predatory lending measures in the country.
• Successful collaboration with the Ohio Department of Development to roll out a new Homeless Request for Proposals (RFP) program, effectively consolidating the state's homeless assistance funding into one application. In addition, overall funding for homeless assistance was increased (partially as a result of increased funding for the Housing Trust Fund).
• Support generated for federal housing and homeless programs such as Section 8 rental assistance, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, McKinney-Vento homeless assistance funding, HOME, CDBG and public housing. Organized tours for members of Congress, testified at Congressional hearings and educated members of Congress.
• Organizing a number of conferences, workshops and training programs. COHHIO's annual conference in April 2006 brought together more than 500 people attending 24 workshops with 48 state and national speakers. Other trainings include an organizational development series, including training tenant leaders in Section 8 housing, Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and the Continuum of Care.

We invite you to learn more about our staff and board of directors.