18-04-2025
Bipartisan bill would offer legal support for Ohioans facing eviction
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A bipartisan bill would offer state funding for legal costs to low-income Ohioans facing eviction, an issue of great concern in Franklin County.
Sponsored by State Sens. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), Senate Bill 83 would revise eviction and property laws in Ohio to assist households facing eviction. The bill would establish a legal services housing defense fund to finance legal services to eligible Ohioans, bringing more direct state support for residents in eviction hearings.
According to the Eviction Lab, eviction is a prevailing concern in Franklin County. There have been more than 100,000 eviction filings in Franklin County in the past five years, 25% of which occurred in the past year alone.
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Franklin County evictions noticeably increased after COVID-19. According to the Eviction Lab, evictions from the past year are 39% higher than average eviction filings before COVID-19. Further, data shows the eviction crisis is likely to worsen as pandemic-era federal funding runs out. See previous coverage of eviction concerns in the video player above.
Senate Bill 83 wants to reduce barriers for Ohioans facing eviction. The new state fund would cover legal costs for eligible households, or households with an established annual income under 300% of the federal poverty level. Poverty levels vary by household size, but a four-person home would be eligible if it makes less than $96,450 annually.
The bill would also allow parties involved in eviction filings to request nonbinding mediation to help come to an understanding. To help protect tenants' rights, any eviction notice would have to include the right to free legal representation and information on how to see if they are eligible.
S.B. 83 would keep all associated records private until an eviction was formalized. Any eviction case documents could also be removed from public record if both parties agree to it. In those cases, only authorized judicial staff, parties directly involved in the case or someone with a court order could access the records.
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The bill would also adjust property and inspection laws. Under S.B. 83, any property transaction would need to provide proof the involved parties are real people before the county auditor would endorse the sale. Building code enforcement certification would also have to be 'as accessible as possible' without compromising safety.
Finally, S.B. 83 would require inspections of construction projects within 30 days of receiving a plan review or inspection request. Local building boards would also have to publish a list of approved and certified third-party inspectors.
'How we resolve the housing crisis impacts our future economic development and the strength of our schools and local governments,' Craig said.
S.B. 83 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee in February but has not had hearings since. The program would require the General Assembly to allocate funding to the bill, and it could emerge in ongoing Senate discussions of Ohio's biennial budget.
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