Columbus’ health and human services safety net is staring down a nine-figure bill just to keep from unraveling. A new analysis presented this week to the city’s Funding Review Advisory Committee (FRAC) says it will take roughly $135 million to $162 million every year to “stabilize” the system and prevent cuts as demand keeps climbing.
The estimate covers steady operating support, an emergency stabilization pool, workforce investments and shared digital systems meant to keep shelters, food banks and behavioral health programs from trimming services. Local agency leaders warned the committee that without those investments, frontline programs could see reductions.
As reported by Columbus Business First on March 13, 2026, the findings come from a State of the Sector report prepared for FRAC and presented during its recent meetings, where members are weighing long-term revenue options for human services and related sectors.
How the gap breaks down
The State of the Sector analysis, produced by the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County in partnership with community engagement firm Cohear, splits the $135 million to $162 million request into specific buckets. The report outlines multi-year stabilization funding at $75 million to $90 million, an emergency stabilization fund at $10 million to $12 million, workforce investments at $30 million to $35 million, shared infrastructure and digital systems at $10 million to $15 million, and sector innovation and equity initiatives at $8 million to $10 million, according to the Human Service Chamber.
FRAC will weigh revenue options
The Funding Review Advisory Committee, convened by the City of Columbus and Franklin County, is tasked with reviewing public funding practices and recommending sustainable revenue strategies for human services, cultural arts and tourism. City materials say the committee brings together civic and business leaders, is holding public sessions to gather testimony, and will deliver recommendations for policymakers to use in upcoming budget cycles. The City of Columbus provides FRAC meeting schedules and the committee’s formal charge.
Why advocates say it’s urgent
Advocates say the timeline is tight because federal and state grant reductions have already stressed local systems while more people show up needing help. Axios reported in April 2025 that federal Department of Health and Human Services funding cuts forced Columbus Public Health to lay off 11 disease investigators and that Ohio lost more than $250 million in grant funding. The Human Service Chamber’s State of the Sector survey also shows most member agencies have seen demand rise even as budgets stay tight, according to the Human Service Chamber.
Axios lays out those pressures in detail.
FRAC members will now weigh the report’s recommendations alongside other budget priorities as city and county officials explore long-term revenue options. Local leaders told Columbus Business First that predictable, multi-year investments are the clearest way to avoid future crises, a decision that ultimately rests with elected officials during the next budget cycle.
