Upcoming Advocacy Engagement
Columbus City Council to hold hearing on Rental Registry
- There will be a public hearing on Thursday, February 19th at 4pm at City Hall (90 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215).
- This is a public hearing, all are welcome; however, if you would like more information on the proposal and/or would like to provide testimony, please reach out to staff for assistance:
- Vincent Coleman, Government Affairs Director (vincent@columbusrealtors.com)
- Juliana Behnke, Government Affairs Manager (juliana@columbusrealtors.com
Local –
City of Lancaster, Fairfield County Release Final Housing Assessment Report
- The Lancaster Port Authority recently held a briefing on the findings and recommendations of the Fairfield County/Lancaster Housing Study, completed in late 2025.
- Columbus REALTORS® in partnership with the Lancaster Board of REALTORS® provided $7,500 to conduct this study by leveraging a National Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity consumer advocacy grant.
- You can view and download the full report by clicking the link in the title.
State –
Ohio Homeowners Given One-Time Chance to Exit MV Realty Contracts
- In early February 2026, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced a limited opportunity for Ohio homeowners to cancel long-term listing contracts with MV Realty following a state lawsuit over deceptive practices.
- If you work with clients who may have participated in MV Realty’s program, encouraging them to review the Attorney General’s notice before the April 29 deadline could make a lasting difference.
- For REALTORS®, this announcement reinforces the importance of transparency, consumer education, and protecting homeowners from practices that can create serious long-term financial harm.
National –
ARTICLE: U.S. Representatives Joyce Beatty, Mike Carey Bring Home Millions for Columbus- Area Projects
- From housing and infrastructure to transportation projects, U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, and Mike Carey, R-Columbus, have secured more than $32 million for projects in their districts this budget cycle.
- Some projects include:
- Beatty:
- $1.2 million for Westerville for the Brooksedge Boulevard Mobility Improvements Project, which will install new sidewalks and a bike path
- $1 million for the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority for the Reynoldsburg Mixed-Income Housing Project
- Carey:
- $3 million for the Emerald Connector in Dublin, a proposed Interstate 270 crossing from Tuller Road to Emerald Parkway that is intended to relieve traffic on Sawmill Road
Bonus:
Columbus City Council held a public hearing soliciting public feedback on the $500M affordable housing bond.
- Staff was in attendance and provided testimony highlighting the need for more housing and to advocate for council to address missing middle housing.
- Due to staff’s attendance, this weekly update was pushed to today (Friday)
- You can watch the hearing HERE.
