Columbus Receives Federal Grant to Support Migrants and Refugees

Columbus Receives Federal Grant to Support Migrants and Refugees

Published on September 09, 2024

The City of Columbus has been awarded new federal resources to aid some of the city's newest and most vulnerable neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program has awarded the city a $6.6 million grant to provide shelter for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

This funding will build upon the partnerships developed during the Colonial Village rehousing effort between the city, Community Shelter Board and community partners to expand capacity to provide shelter and material assistance to vulnerable migrants who face unique barriers to gaining stability.

"This new federal funding aligns with what we are already experiencing here in Columbus-- an increasing number of refugees and immigrants arriving in our community in search of safe harbor and a new start. This grant ensures that the city will be able to address the immediate humanitarian needs of these families without placing additional pressure on our existing shelter system," said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.

In total, Columbus will receive $6,682,210 over three years. The funding will fund humanitarian services, including shelter, for noncitizen migrants who have entered the country legally. It will also provide food, transportation, acute medical care, clothing, translation and outreach services to these Columbus neighbors.

In late 2023, Columbus faced the mass displacement of hundreds of Haitian migrants housed in the Colonial Village Apartments. If the City had not provided funding to shelter the more than 1300 displaced individuals in nine hotels, Central Ohio's regional shelter system would have been overwhelmed. The Department of Development applied for the grant in January of 2024 as part of the department's ongoing response and humanitarian efforts to aid efforts to this population.

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