KRD & Associates Blog #4

Issue #1 Traffic Problems in Columbus,OH
Many of the jobs in the city have moved out of the heart of downtown into the suburbs, which are underserved by bus routes. Some residents have a commute of 30 minutes or more. Underserved communities, usually composed of minorities, struggle to find reliable transportation to and from work. The city has taken steps to increase reliability and expand the location of bus stops but there is still more that can be done. As the city grows, investments must be made in more reliable public transportation. Minorities and underserved communities are suffering the most as a result of this broken system. For there to be a difference, people should be prioritized over vehicles. The city has to figure out how to do this in an efficient way of advocating for the people who don’t have cars or a way around the city.

The Advocacy approach would highlight helping those without the means to get around. Things like a shuttle or bike share and scooter share are services that are convenient while trying to get around. These services are not only more convenient, but they are also beneficial to the environment. They are sustainable transportation services that are a greater good for those who use public transit. The flip side to this approach would be people who don’t use public transit may not like it. The scooter-share could get in the way of those who want to drive the speed limit. The scooters have to be driven in the street so they could easily be in the way of others. Even though there may be cons to focusing on those who are facing the most issues, it still helps. The advocacy approach focuses on one specific issue which would be looking out for those in need of a better transportation system.

The Economic approach to this issue would maximize economic gains and prioritize making a profit from an improved transportation system. Everything would be designed to maximize revenues and make the system more efficient. This can be beneficial for many different reasons. An economic approach to the transportation issue in Columbus would look at placing stops in areas to spur economic development and to help residents get to those areas safely. These areas, which are traditionally underserved and underdeveloped now have access to public transportation. Some cons to this approach could include some areas being left out as a result of companies trying to maximize revenue. Locations with a high minority population may be left out due to their lack of funds to pay for the transportation, therefore, the stops will not be in their neighborhoods. Implementing policies to improve the efficiency of public transportation along with increasing the number of stops and routes throughout the community and underserved areas will help to alleviate the stresses felt by many members of the community who depend on public transportation.

Issue #2 Affordable Housing in Columbus,OH
As Columbus continues to grow, especially in parts of downtown, new housing developments are popping up everywhere but not as quick as they are needed. A gap of 54,000 housing units currently exists in Franklin County alone. These housing developments can change the entire look and feel of a neighborhood, displacing residents in many cases. Most of these residents include the poor and minority populations. These residents cannot afford to live in these new apartment complexes so they have to pick up their lives and move as a result of the high demand for new housing. This can be detrimental to a family as a result. Not only have they lost their homes, but they also have lost their friends, schools, and in some cases, jobs. This is a major issue facing Columbus but many groups are looking at ways to solve the housing problem.

The Advocacy approach to this issue is to continue to expand affordable housing initiatives. It is important to build low-income housing in a variety of areas, rather than specifically in the inner city or on the periphery of suburbs where they remain out of sight and out of mind. This planned approach would require that affordable housing be built in the suburbs where residents of the units are close to services and other amenities, such as busing and good-paying jobs. This will help to build mixed-income neighborhoods in which the rich and the poor can coexist. This would not only make affordable housing more convenient and valuable to the people using it, but it would also close the sizable deficit of housing present in Franklin County and the rest of Central Ohio. Unfortunately, many people currently living in these suburbs may not be on board. Many residents worry that the presence of affordable housing in wealthier suburbs could lower land values and possibly raise crime in the area. However, as shown through successful mixed-income neighborhoods in Grove City and Whitehall, these fears are largely baseless and do not occur when these affordable housing initiatives are put into effect. The advocacy approach would be focusing on addressing the needs of those who do not have access to affordable housing through new initiatives and the development of new units.

The Economic approach to this issue would again look at how to maximize profits when it comes to affordable housing. They would look at ways to improve the efficiency of the building process and to maximize the number of units included in a new development. To make housing affordable in certain areas, demographics must be taken into account. Affordable housing units will not always bring in the best profits but they only usually make up 20-30% of the units in the entire complex. Some pros to using this approach would be the ability to jumpstart economic development in certain areas through the construction of affordable housing. Depending on the location, workers could have better access to public transportation and more job opportunities. Some cons include developers only focusing on areas that can make them the most profit which usually leaves out minorities and underserved populations. To avoid leaving these populations behind, a policy of a minimum percentage of affordable housing units in each new apartment complex could help these minorities be successful.

Works Cited
Housing
https://www.columbusceo.com/business/20190826/columbus-affordable-housing-push-grows
https://www.dispatch.com/business/20190928/construction-of-new-homes-and-apartments-lags-far-behind-need-in-central-ohio
https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190204/lack-of-affordable-housing-is-suburban-problem-too
Transportation
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/oct/03/free-public-transport-downtown-workers-columbus-car
https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2019/01/31/columbus-must-revolutionize-our-transit.html

Stranded In Central Ohio

By:Sam DeLong,Casey Klusman,& Ari Roby

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