Don’t Bust the Trust: Call Now to Save the Ohio Housing Trust Fund
The clock is ticking—and Ohio families, pets, and communities are depending on us to act.
Right now, Ohio Senate leaders are making critical decisions about what to include in the state budget. One dangerous amendment added by the House to HB 96, the biennial state budget bill, would gut the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF)—a vital source of state funding for affordable housing, emergency home repair, and homelessness prevention across all 88 counties.
If adopted, this amendment would:
Strip state oversight from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund
Create inconsistent, inefficient administration at the county level
Reduce housing support in rural areas where it’s needed most
Increase housing insecurity, putting more people—and their pets—at risk
Ohio Animal Advocates joins housing and human service leaders across the state in urging the Senate to reject the House’s harmful changes and instead adopt Senator Michelle Reynolds’ amendment (SC1326), which would establish a study committee to evaluate and improve the OHTF without disrupting services.
Take Action Now: Make Three Quick Calls
Ohioans must speak out immediately. This weekend, the Senate begins reviewing the House’s changes—these next few days are our best shot to protect the Trust Fund.
Please call the following key senators today and urge them to preserve the Ohio Housing Trust Fund:
Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon): 614-466-8150
Senate Finance Chairman Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland): 614-644-7718
Senate Finance Vice Chairman Brian Chavez (R-Marietta): 614-466-6508
You may speak to a staff member or leave a voicemail. Also use OAA's action alert on the OHTF to contact your Ohio Senator and ask them to preserve the OHTF. Either way—your voice matters.
Suggested Talking Points:
The Ohio Housing Trust Fund is the primary source of state funding for local homelessness and affordable housing programs.
The House’s amendment would undermine state oversight, making the fund less effective and harder to access, especially in rural communities.
Current statewide administration ensures efficiency and equitable distribution of resources.
Weakening the Trust Fund will result in more people—and their pets—losing stable housing.
Ask your senator to support Sen. Reynolds’ amendment (SC1326) to study and strengthen the fund without dismantling it.
Why It Matters to Animals
Housing instability doesn’t just impact people. Families forced to move or live in unstable conditions often have to give up their pets or are unable to care for them safely. Supporting strong housing programs helps keep people and their pets together, reducing the number of animals entering shelters due to economic hardship.
Stay Informed
Join our next advocacy webinar on Tuesday, May 20 at 3:00 PM for an update on the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and national housing issues, hosted in partnership with the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Visit the full action alert to learn more: https://www.ohioanimaladvocates.org/action-alerts#state
Together, we can protect vulnerable families, preserve essential housing resources, and keep pets safe at home—where they belong.
Source https://cohhio.org/
