Affordable rent push urged at Ohio housing forum

COLUMBUS (AP) — Guaranteeing access to affordable rents was among pressing housing topics local and national experts and policymakers addressed at an Ohio Statehouse forum.

The Bipartisan Policy Center Housing Commission sponsored today's event, headlined by U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi.

The forum highlighted policy recommendations for the housing sector contained in a report the commission issued in February.

Nationally, the number of renter households with housing needs considered “worst case” surged 48 percent from 2007 to 2011. Nearly half of Ohio renters report their rent burden is either moderate or severe, with close to a third spending more than half of their monthly incomes on housing costs.

Recent Ohio housing reports find Columbus area home sales up 10 percent to 12 percent over last year.