As Columbus first responders continue to answer thousands of domestic violence calls each year and domestic violence-related killings accounting for more than a quarter of the city's homicides, a Columbus City Councilmember is introducing legislation aimed at strengthening housing protections for victims seeking to escape abusive situations.
Councilmember Tiara Ross, who chairs the council's Housing, Homelessness and Building Committee, held a hearing Oct. 14 to discuss proposed changes to the city’s housing code that would help domestic violence survivors leave abusive living situations without facing penalties, such as fees for breaking a lease or continued rent obligations on a residence they can no longer safely occupy.
"Our responsibility
does not end when the person finds the courage to leave," Ross said at a press briefing before the hearing. The proposed addition to the city's housing code would also apply to those fleeing situations involving sexual assault and stalking, she said.
Ross acknowledged that the proposed changes are not the "entire solution," but a step in the right direction.
Diana Williams, founder of Ohio Women Against Domestic Violence and a domestic violence survivor, said one of the biggest obstacles she faced while trying to escape her abuser was finding stable housing. Williams recalled being evicted with her children and forced to sleep on floors as she searched for a safe place to stay. She said her abuser also stole her identity and ruined her credit, making it even more difficult to secure housing and rebuild her life.
"We can't continue to tell victims to leave when there's nowhere for them to go," Williams said.
A similar proposal is currently in committee at the Ohio Statehouse. Authored by State Representatives Michele Grim, D-Toledo, and Melanie Miller, R-Ashland, House Bill 855, titled the Ohio Safe Homes Act,would allow tenants who are victims of sexual assault or domestic violence to terminate a rental agreement without facing a penalty. It would also prevent landlords from retaliating against victims for terminating a rental agreement and forwarding the victim's identifying information to particular people.
In 2023, Grim introduced House Bill 143, also known as the Safe Homes Act, but it didn't get far in the Republican-controlled Ohio Legislature. Ashland's involvement in a bipartisan effort may give the measure a better chance.
Statewide, there were 157 reported domestic violence-related homicides between July 2024 and June 2025, according to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
Domestic violence calls in Columbus for 2026 on track to surpass 2025
As of Aug. 31, Columbus police have received more than 21,800 calls relating to domestic violence or domestic dispute situations, according to data from the Columbus police Domestic Violence Unit.
Lt. Jason Garner with the Columbus police Domestic Violence Unit said he predicts that number will exceed 30,000 by year's end.
While the city has made progress in reducing homicides overall, domestic violence-related homicides continue to represent approximately 30% of the city's total homicides. Most of the domestic violence calls originate from Columbus' East, Far East, Southeast, and West sides, Garner told City Council members at the hearing.
When asked why the city was seeing a drop in homicides but an increasing number of domestic violence-related homicides, Garner said police have "no answer" as to why that's the case. He did say that because domestic violence most often occurs behind closed doors, there's no way to prevent it from a policing standpoint.
Detective Lori Carney with the police Domestic Violence Unit, emphasized the need for continued cooperation with domestic violence support organizations and programs to assist survivors.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus explores housing protections for domestic violence victims
