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Next Chapter: Planning for the Future of Housing in Columbus

A Conversation on Affordable Housing in Central Ohio

Michael Wilkos, VP of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio, returns to moderate a panel on the housing market and the importance of affordable housing as Columbus continues to develop.

Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio, will moderate an expert panel on the housing market and the necessity for affordable housing around Central Ohio as Columbus continues to grow and develop. According to a 2024 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) study, the Central Ohio region is on track to reach nearly 3.15 million residents by 2050, a growth of 726,000 new residents, that will require a minimum of 272,000 additional households. Learn about the current state of the housing market around Columbus, who is benefitting and who is being left out of current housing trends, and how we can plan for affordable housing initiatives that will be vital to accommodate Central Ohio's growing population.

The Next Chapter series is presented in partnership with United Way of Central Ohio and the City of Bexley.

About the Panelists:

Michael Wilkos is Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio. He works with a team that develops effective strategies to improve our community and invests in programs provided by more than 90 funded nonprofit partners to implement these strategies. He is a sought after presenter on topics ranging from neighborhood revitalization, poverty, economic mobility, segregation, redlining, gentrification, history and demographics.

Prior to joining United Way, Michael served as a senior grants officer and director of community research at The Columbus Foundation. During his tenure at the foundation he initiated, led and managed competitive grant-making to support holistic community revitalization in Weinland Park, an effort to stabilize and revitalize a mixed-income community near The Ohio State University where he has resided since 2008. Additionally, he provided direction and management for many categories of grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation and affiliated funds including The Joseph A. Jeffrey Fund, The Columbus Youth Foundation and the Ingram-White Castle Foundation.

Prior to joining The Columbus Foundation, Michael served as senior impact director and director of neighborhood development at United Way of Central Ohio. In that position he managed program allocations supporting neighborhood development strategies. Among many other duties, he also directed volunteer involvement in developing and implementing strategies supporting housing and community safety programs.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University. He has served on many boards including: Columbus and Franklin County Continuum of Care, which oversees program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to respond to homelessness, Franklin County Community Economic Development Advisory Board, United Neighborhood Centers of America, Columbus Landmarks Foundation and Columbus Neighborhood Design Center, Converge Columbus, Emergency Food and Shelter Board, Economic Mobility Coalition, The Buckeye Flame, SID Public Services and has served as a commissioner for both Italian Village and the University District.

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