“The 614 for Linden” Proud to have Advanced the One Linden Community Plan

COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 27, 2022 - The City of Columbus joins the Linden community and community partners today for a community event at the Linden Community Center to celebrate The 614 for Linden, a collaborative to advance the One Linden Community plan. The collaborative is named for six nonprofits partnering with four community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to have a positive and significant impact on one neighborhood.

The 614 for Linden represented a $21.25 million commitment to the Linden neighborhood to address five of the 10 Big Ideas that were the introduced in the City of Columbus’ One Linden Community Plan. "The only way we can reach our full potential is if every resident, and every neighborhood, shares in our success," said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Thanks to the One Linden Community Plan, and through The 614 for Linden, we are leveraging expertise and momentum to deploy purposeful, intentional investments. I am proud of the progress we have already achieved – often in the midst of a global pandemic – and I look forward to continued collaboration to further transform lives and elevate livelihoods throughout Columbus.”

The 614 for Linden provided:

• 514 affordable housing units, with an additional 233 preserved through acquisition, rehabilitation and/or financing. These are specifically intended for individuals and families who earn less than 80% of the area median income. In addition, rapid rehousing services will be for up to 200 individuals and families currently experiencing or on the brink of homelessness.
• Consulting and other assistance was provided to over 119 small businesses, including approximately 57 microloans to local entrepreneurs seeking to start or expand an operation.
• Increased “wraparound” health services, including the opening of the Linden Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy, which serves hundreds of families per week; the kickoff of the Proud Linden Parent Program at the Linden Primary Care Center; and the hiring of a full-time community health worker and part-time kindergarten readiness coordinator to engage specifically with families through the Linden Primary Care Center.

JPMorgan Chase’s $5 million philanthropic investment into The 614 for Linden was a three-year commitment to support community leaders in all aspects of community transformation.

“Columbus cannot afford to have any neighborhood left behind, which is why we support public-private collaborations that create equitable opportunity all,” said Corrine Burger, Columbus Location Leader for JPMorgan Chase. “JPMorgan Chase is committed to working alongside local partners and community leaders to tackle the complex challenges facing communities like Linden. Partnerships like this one are imperative for Central Ohio to truly be an inclusive and prosperous region for everyone.”

The grant allowed the nonprofit Ohio Capital Finance Corporation, an affiliate of Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, to develop and structure a $16.25 million capital pool in partnership with three other CDFIs: Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus and Franklin, Finance Fund Capital Corporation and Economic Community Development Institute.

“We are extremely proud of the many accomplishments The 614 for Linden collaborative has achieved in partnership with the City of Columbus and Linden residents” said Jonathan Welty, President of Ohio Capital Finance Corporation. “Despite the pandemic and numerous challenges facing the community, we have made significant progress towards implementing the goals of the One Linden Community Plan. By working together, we are creating a more equitable, opportunity-rich neighborhood.”

The six nonprofits supporting The 614 for Linden included Saint Stephen’s Community House, Community Development for All People, Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families, The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, Community Shelter Board and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“At Nationwide Children’s, we know that health means more than health care – a vibrant, thriving neighborhood can be even more important that what happens in a doctor’s office,” said Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s. “The people of Linden created a roadmap for their neighborhood with the One Linden Plan, and Nationwide Children’s has been honored to work with the partners of The 614 for Linden to act on that plan. We are looking forward to working even more in Linden for years to come.”

More information can be found at OneLinden.org and the614forlinden.org.