Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $110,515 (2022 grants)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: Varies by project (specific amounts not disclosed)
- Geographic Focus: Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, plus contiguous counties and Knox County
Contact Details
Address: 175 South Third Street, Suite 1250, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 228-6488
Fax: (614) 228-6439
Email: info@hztrust.org
Website: www.hztrust.org
Overview
The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County (AHT), established in 2001, is an independent, nonprofit lender that became a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in February 2016. While AHT's primary focus is providing loans to developers, they also operate a Grant Program for Housing Innovation that supports nonprofit organizations working on affordable housing. Since founding, AHT has closed loans totaling over $300 million which has funded the creation or preservation of over 14,200 units of affordable housing. In 2024, AHT closed loans totaling over $70 million, producing or preserving 1,965 housing units and leveraging an estimated $494 million in new economic activity. The organization is accountable to an eleven-member Board of Trustees appointed jointly by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Mayor of Columbus. In April 2024, JPMorgan Chase committed $10 million to AHT to increase affordable housing units in Central Ohio.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
AHT Grant Program for Housing Innovation: The grant program has two main components supporting nonprofit organizations in the affordable housing sector. In 2022, AHT awarded $110,515 in grants across 6 awards.
Note: The 2025 Grant Program has been postponed due to an ongoing leadership transition, with funds being reallocated to other AHT programs and initiatives. The program prioritizes immediate impact by supporting affordable housing projects led by program participants and strengthening the capacity of emerging developers.
Components:
-
Home Repairs Component: Provides funding for exterior and interior home repairs that address health and safety, accessibility, or code violations. Funds are disbursed to nonprofit organizations who currently operate repair programs (such as MORPC and LifeCare Alliance).
-
Non-Production Projects: Provides funds to nonprofit organizations for non-production projects that support their existing housing, such as site security updates, fencing replacement, ADA compliance improvements, and similar projects.
Priority Areas
- Home repairs addressing health and safety concerns
- Accessibility improvements
- Code violation remediation
- Site security and infrastructure improvements for existing affordable housing
- Supporting nonprofits that operate housing for vulnerable populations
Past Grant Recipients
Organizations that have received AHT grants include:
- Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
- LifeCare Alliance
- Creative Living
- Homeport
- Huckleberry House
- Star House
What They Don't Fund
- Individual households seeking housing (those individuals should access the Ohio Housing Locator)
- New construction or acquisition projects (these are funded through AHT's loan programs)
- Projects outside their geographic service area
Governance and Leadership
Current Leadership
Ian Labitue - President and CEO (as of 2025)
Steve Gladman - Served as Interim President and CEO in 2024 during the leadership transition
Lark T. Mallory - Former President and CEO (retired July 2024). Mallory stated in 2024 that "almost half of Ohioans are housing cost-burdened."
Board Structure
The organization is governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees appointed jointly by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Mayor of the City of Columbus.
Bob Weiler, Sr. - Immediate Past Chair (2024)
Historical Leadership: Donald B. Shackelford was AHT's first chairman of the Board of Directors, serving from 2001 until 2018.
Board members hold various positions at organizations including Columbus Partnership, Woda Management & Real Estate, United Midwest Savings Bank, Nationwide Investments, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Huntington National Bank, and other regional institutions.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
IMPORTANT: The 2025 Grant Program has been postponed due to an ongoing leadership transition. The program is expected to return in future years, but no timeline has been announced.
When the program is active, applications are typically announced with specific deadlines. Past application cycles have had deadlines in January (e.g., January 26, 2024 for the previous cycle).
For information about when the grant program will reopen, nonprofit organizations should:
- Monitor the AHT website at www.hztrust.org/grant-program
- Contact AHT at info@hztrust.org or (614) 228-6488
Decision Timeline
Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. AHT reviews applications after the deadline and notifies organizations of their decisions.
Success Rates
In 2022, AHT made 6 grant awards totaling $110,515. The total number of applications received is not publicly disclosed.
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication policy is publicly available. Organizations should contact AHT directly for guidance on reapplying.
Application Success Factors
Based on the organizations that have received grants and AHT's stated mission:
Types of Projects Funded: AHT has funded practical improvements to existing affordable housing such as:
- Fencing replacement (Creative Living, Homeport, Huckleberry House, Star House)
- Site security updates
- ADA compliance improvements
- Home repairs addressing health, safety, and accessibility issues
Alignment with Mission: Successful applicants are nonprofit organizations that already operate affordable housing or home repair programs. The grants support infrastructure improvements and repairs rather than new development.
Target Populations: Organizations serving vulnerable populations appear well-positioned, including those working with:
- Seniors (LifeCare Alliance)
- Youth experiencing homelessness (Huckleberry House, Star House)
- Low-income residents requiring home repairs
Geographic Focus: Projects must be located in Columbus, Franklin County, or the broader eight-county service area (Franklin and contiguous counties plus Knox County).
Partnership Approach: AHT works collaboratively with the private, nonprofit, and public sectors, suggesting that organizations demonstrating partnerships or leveraging other resources may be viewed favorably.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Timing: The grant program is currently postponed for 2025 due to leadership transition; monitor the website for when applications reopen
- Limited Grant Program: AHT is primarily a loan provider; their grant program is small ($110,515 in 2022) and focuses on supporting existing affordable housing infrastructure
- Practical Projects: Grants support tangible improvements like fencing, security, ADA compliance, and home repairs rather than new development
- Existing Housing Focus: The program funds improvements to housing that already exists, not new construction
- Nonprofit Focus: Grant recipients are nonprofit organizations operating housing programs or providing home repair services, not individuals
- Regional Relationships: With only 6 awards in 2022, building a relationship with AHT and demonstrating alignment with their mission is likely important
- Consider Loan Programs: Organizations planning new affordable housing development should explore AHT's loan programs rather than grants
References
- Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County official website - www.hztrust.org (Accessed January 2026)
- AHT Grant Program page - https://www.hztrust.org/grant-program (Accessed January 2026)
- AHT 2024 Annual Report - https://hztrustannualreports.com/2024/ (Accessed January 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Affordable Housing Trust For Columbus & Franklin County - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311727952 (Accessed January 2026)
- JPMorgan Chase Press Release - "JPMorgan Chase Commits $10 Million to Support Affordable Housing" - https://www.jpmorganchase.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/10million-aht-investment (April 2024)
- GuideStar Profile - The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/31-1727952 (Accessed January 2026)
- Cause IQ - Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/affordable-housing-trust-for-columbus-and-franklin,311727952/ (Accessed January 2026)
- AHT website article - "Reflections on Year One" - https://www.hztrust.org/reflections-on-year-one (Accessed January 2026)