Small Homes, Big Potential: Inside Franklin County’s ADU Sprint
- Keryna Johnson
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
By Keryna Johnson, Director of Housing & Community Partnerships, RISE Together Innovation Institute
At RISE Together, we believe in building communities where everyone can thrive. That means creating more housing options that are flexible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of our growing population.
But right now, too many Franklin County residents are struggling to find stable, affordable places to live. Between 2017-2024, the average fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the county has increased by nearly 47%, from $886 to $1,302 per month. Home prices have risen even faster, with the median home for sale jumping 54% over the same period.
One promising solution is already within reach: Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs. These smaller, independent homes - often built in backyards, above garages, or in attics or basements - can add more housing to residential neighborhoods without changing their character. ADUs can create rental income for homeowners, offer affordable options for seniors and single adults, and expand access to housing in high-opportunity areas.
That's why CONVERGENCE Columbus, RISE Together, and the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, launched an Accessory Dwelling Unit "Sprint"Â this spring.
Our shared vision was clear:
To collaboratively advance strategies that support the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Franklin County.
The kick-off resulted in the creation of four working teams:
Education: Raise awareness & provide clear information on ADUs.
Policy: Identify regulatory barriers & advocate for ADU-friendly policies.
Finance: Explore ways to make ADUs financially accessible to the public.
Design: Address practical ADU construction needs.
Each team was made up of local professionals, community members, and subject-matter experts who generously contributed their time and skills. On behalf of RISE Together, I was honored to help design the sprint and facilitate the teams’ work. We created a structure that emphasized momentum, cross-sector collaboration, and accountability, with over 25 organizations participating:
AARP Ohio
Astra Studios
Care Source
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
Central Ohio Community Land Trust
City of Columbus
Clark Custom Builders
Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio
Columbus City Council
Columbus REALTORS
Gertrude Wood Community Foundation
Greater Ohio Policy Center
Huntington National Bank
Just Listed Real Estate
NOMA Columbus
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Omni Title
Park National Bank
Red 1 Realty
Spring Garden Lending
Take a Look Real Estate Brokers
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
Wright-Patt Credit Union
Y2 Design & Build
We began the sprint aiming to identify a few strong projects. The teams exceeded expectations, ultimately completing nine projects by the end of the sprint
ADU map and database
A zoning benchmarking matrix
A utility guide for ADU development
A video tour of an ADU
A funder roundtable
A lender roundtable
A photo walkthrough of an ADU build
A step-by-step construction guide
A forthcoming webinar
The goal is to use these resources to educate the public and inform policy solutions and implementation strategies.
A full report outlining each project and its intended next steps is available here:
Now is the time to build on this momentum.Â
Next week, Columbus City Council will hold the first of three public hearings to discuss a proposed expansion of the city code to allow ADUs in residential districts.
If you care about housing affordability or simply want to see more flexible and inclusive housing options in our city, I encourage you to attend or submit written testimony to show your support for including Accessory Dwelling Units in the new zoning code.
Let’s keep pushing for solutions that expand housing choice and reflect the needs of our communities.
