An exterior view of the Villas Apartments in Columbus on April 29.
The (Columbus) Republic
When occupants of nearly 100 low-income senior households at The Villas in Columbus recently learned they soon will lose their homes, some wondered — and still wonder — where they will go.
The owners of the complex at 4101 Waycross Drive, BHI Senior Living, announced plans to close it “shortly after April 2025, when BHI Senior Living’s 40-year contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that subsidizes rent for residents of the 99-unit complex is set to expire,” The Republic reported. (The closure of The Villas will not impact the nearby Four Seasons Retirement Community, which also is owned by BHI Senior Living, company officials said.)
Closing The Villas is life-changing news for residents of the complex, and it comes at a time when affordable housing has paradoxically become an unattainable luxury here in the world’s richest nation.
The Republic’s Andy East reported local officials are “working to develop a community response” to the planned closure of The Villas.
“Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon said the city has been in contact with representatives from the Villas and BHI Senior Care and plans to work with the Columbus Housing Authority, Thrive Alliance, United Way and local landlords “to strategize and assist in relocating as many residents as possible.”
“It is very disappointing for the entire community that the Villas is closing down,” Ferdon said. “It is always difficult to lose housing of any kind. This is particularly difficult as it’s a source of affordable housing and some residents have lived there for many years which makes it a challenge to relocate them so they can continue to be close to schools, shopping, jobs, etc.”
But these units will be difficult to replace. Residents at The Villas, some of whom are disabled, qualify for rental assistance and pay no more than 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent.
The closure of The Villas will complicate the city’s ongoing shortage of affordable housing units. A city housing study is underway with results expected in coming months, but it’s well understood that affordability is an issue here and elsewhere. In Columbus, the fair market monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is currently more than $1,000 a month. That is more than many people can afford, especially seniors who have to get by on fixed incomes.
And the task of addressing affordable housing is likely to get even more complicated going forward.
“Columbus could be at risk of losing nearly 200 more affordable housing units within the next five years should property owners not extend their agreements or obtain new subsidies when their contracts with the federal government expire,” East reported.
This raises the prospect of greater numbers of people with low and moderate incomes competing for a dwindling number of affordable housing units, which could further drive up monthly rents.
If there is a silver lining in the cloud over The Villas and its residents, it is that there is time for the city, HUD, local landlords and other stakeholders to assist the residents of The Villas and ensure that they will have a place to live after next April.
We encourage community leaders to work together to assist residents of The Villas find new homes.
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