What: Press Conference releasing Community Action Distribution of Home Relief Funds 2020-2023 Report

When: *Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Where: The Ohio Statehouse Ladies Gallery, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH

*Correction: An earlier version of this media advisory listed the incorrect day of the week. The conference will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.*

COLUMBUS (August 28, 2023) — During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized Home Relief Funds for emergency rental assistance (commonly referred to as ERA1 and ERA2) to prevent the eviction of millions of low-income people. Through these programs, Ohio’s Community Action Network distributed nearly $660 million in funds to eligible households. The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) engaged Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the funds. The report will be released at a press conference on September 6, 2023.

“Since the programs were authorized in 2021, the public has asked about the impact on families, landlords, taxpayers, and the Community Action Agencies administering the funds,” said OACAA Executive Director Philip E. Cole. “After researching and collecting the data, Ohio University has calculated that impact and published the findings in this report.”

The report breaks down the Social Return on Investment (SROI) for stakeholders including homeowners, tenants, utility companies, taxpayers, and more. Conservative estimates place the value of the programs between $3.4-$4.4 billion with many areas found to be impacted including positive family interactions and preventing the increase in the use of the foster care system.

“People across the country were impacted by COVID-19 and many are still recovering today,” said Cole. “For nearly 60 years, Community Action has been ready to respond to local needs, and during the pandemic part of that response included ensuring families maintained safe housing. This report will illustrate that impact and answer some questions we’ve all been asking.”

During the press conference, Cole and Kelli Coughlin Schoen, Senior Research Manager at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, will highlight the report’s findings, discuss the methodology, and answer questions. Copies of the report will be available at the press conference and online at www.oacaa.org immediately following. 

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Community Action Agencies work to alleviate poverty and empower low-income families in their communities. The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies represents 48 agencies around the state serving the needs of low-income people in all of Ohio’s 88 counties. CAAs provide education and training, emergency services, and other assistance programs to over 600,000 Ohioans annually.

Ohio Association of Community Action Agency | 140 E. Town St., Suite 1150, Columbus, OH 43215 | 614-224-8500 | www.oacaa.org