Published on March 24, 2026
Franklin County Board of Commissioners I Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has approved a $1.5 million subaward to Franklin County Public Health to continue the Transitional Housing Initiative, a program that connects residents facing housing instability with emergency housing, wraparound services, and pathways to permanent housing. The resolution was adopted at the March 24 General Session.
Since its launch in 2023, the program has served more than 207 families referred through health and human services agencies. Under this new award, the program will serve no fewer than 60 individuals. Services include temporary housing for up to 90 nights, connection to community health workers addressing medical and social service needs, and access to housing specialists dedicated to finding participants permanent placements.
Program data presented at the session by Lindsey Rodenhauser of Franklin County Public Health showed that approximately 78 percent of participants identified as Black or African American and about 60 percent were women. Roughly 18 percent indicated a disability. To date, community health workers have completed more than 600 service pathways, covering medical care, employment, insurance, transportation, and utility assistance.
Rodenhauser noted that participants entering the program reported monthly incomes ranging from approximately $1,200 to $2,700. The average rent cost for those who were successfully housed was approximately $1,111. While not all participants were placed in permanent housing, 75 percent of those who exited the program, regardless of outcome, continued working with community health workers to address ongoing needs.
Franklin County Public Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola told the board that housing is a core social determinant of health and is formally identified as a priority in the county's health improvement plan. The transitional housing program is administered in partnership with Job and Family Services and other county health and human services agencies.