State Capital Budget

Every two years the Ohio General Assembly awards funding for a wide range of community projects through the state capital budget. Projects serving people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity are eligible to apply by contacting your local members of the Ohio House and Senate. March 12 is the deadline to submit your application to their offices.

Applicants must be government entity or a non-profit organization, and funding requests must be related to capital improvements, such as construction, acquisition, and infrastructure.  Project should have state nexus, or relevant to the state's interests. Nonprofit applicants will need to bond their requests to a state agency.

• Capital Expenditure Guidelines
• Community Project Application
• Ohio House Directory
• Ohio Senate Directory

After receiving project applications, each legislator will prioritize them and advocate for their top priorities among their leadership. Usually by early spring, legislative leaders will develop a first draft of the projects to be included in the capital budget bill. Then the House usually introduces legislation that will be vetted in committee hearings until a vote in early or mid-summer.

For homelessness and housing agencies considering submitting a capital budget request, COHHIO recommends:

• Talk to your legislators about how your project serves the community; explain the local impact, local buy-in
• Try to identify local match dollars to help support your project
• Highlight state, regional, economic development benefits
• Seek letters of support from local leaders and stakeholders
• Find a legislator who champion your project & advocate within the Statehouse leadership

Feel free to contact Advocacy Director Gina Wilt if you have any questions.