COHHIO’s second Statehouse Advocacy Day more than doubled in size since the first one last year! During the course of five hours on Oct. 8, more than 120 advocates attended 71 meetings with legislators and their staff to discuss ways the State can help address homelessness and Ohio’s affordable housing crisis.

The event connected COHHIO members and advocates to their state officials to build new relationships and strengthen old ones; to educate those in power about the work being done to combat housing insecurity and homelessness across Ohio; and to advocate for what we know to be true . . . that everyone deserves a safe, decent, affordable home.

People with lived experience were an important part of Advocacy Day, with many individuals who were able to discuss how the lack of safe, decent affordable housing affected their own lives. We are proud to work alongside members of the Youth Advisory Board, the Youth Homelessness System Improvement board, and many other individuals who drew on their own personal experiences to dispel myths and educate lawmakers about the realities of housing insecurity.

Advocates told legislators about the good work being done locally to house their vulnerable constituents, and discussed the importance of the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to supporting homeless services, home repair programs, and affordable housing development in their districts. and we urged policymakers to consider ways to diversify revenue for the OHTF to generate more resources for these critical programs. The message was loud and clear: housing is the foundation for healthy families, thriving communities, and a strong community.

Meeting Follow Up

If you participated in Advocacy Day, please remember this important follow up:

  • Send the legislators and staff you met a quick email (you can find their contact info on the Ohio House Directory and the Ohio Senate Directory) Thank them for sharing their time with you and let them know that you are a resource for them on issues of housing and homelessness.
  • Send COHHIO your notes from the meetings you attended or ask the designated “notetaker” to forward the notes. This helps us learn more about their interests and concerns so we can be better advocates. You can email meeting notes and thoughts to Advocacy Director Gina Wilt and Advocacy and Policy Coordinator Elizabeth Martindale.
  • Resources to help you keep advocating are available on COHHIO’s Advocacy Page.

COHHIO is grateful to all the advocates, legislators, and staff who participated in Advocacy Day 2025, and we look forward to building a stronger foundation for housing all Ohioans in the year to come.