News & Notices
Public Hearing Notice (updated 7-28-22)
COAAA hosted a public hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 1 pm on Zoom. The hearing included a review of COAAA's plans and requests for direct service waivers for American Rescue Plan Act and Title III funding.
Summary of direct service waiver requests:
ARPA Title III-B Cash Assistance: $90,000
ARPA Title III-D Evidence-Based Programs: $74,237
Title III-B Volunteer Placement: $221,829
Title III-D Evidence-Based Programs: $106,481
Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program: $32,100
Additional details are provided in the Public Hearing slides and recording. Waiver requests may be reviewed by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The slides from the hearing are provided for reference. The recording of the hearing can be accessed by copying and pasting the link below:
Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/L89nwO5jxAmh4F70nHYZI_eOMKEf8w2vTORJGG4L3oXNWu35TEaCyjG5dtLSKVMj.4aWjGBWkRWp7nFUI
Access Passcode: 5$1Lf.+f
During the hearing, a question was asked: "How does COAAA protect against fraud in the Housing Assistance Program?"
Answer: COAAA is committed to ensuring that any payments made to assist with rent or utilities are valid and appropriate. Our process includes:
Application stating undue hardship that created need for housing assistance and supporting documentation of the hardship, i.e., funeral, medical bills, loss of job, statement from physician, etc.
Documentation of tenant’s income and sustainability of tenant’s payment of future rent
copy of lease to see rental payment history or gaps in payments
Paperwork completed by landlord verifying amount needed to stabilize housing situation
Signed agreement from both landlord and tenant
The COAAA Housing Assistance Program (HAP) staff routinely check the ownership of independent rental properties on the county auditor’s website to decrease the potential for fraud. HAP staff routinely requests a rent ledger, which can show how long the person has had a balance and whether nonpayment is a pattern or an isolated event. In addition, payment is made directly to the landlord or property management company, not the tenant.
If you have questions or comments, please send written comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 8-15-22.
Home Energy Assistance Program
Assistance to help pay home energy bills is available to income-eligible Ohioans through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
The HEAP Heating Assistance Program from the Ohio Development Services Agency helps income-eligible Ohioans maintain utility service. The program runs through May 31, 2022.
Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program
The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
As of November 1, 2021, there are no updates on when Request for Proposals (RFPs) for ARPA funding may be released. Please continue to check back for updates.
Strategic Area Plan 2019-2022
COAAA is pleased to share our approved 2019-2022 Strategic Area Plan, which describes emerging and priority issues as well as goals, objectives, and strategies for the next four years. Full details can be found in the plan narrative and goal documents. which can be found in the About Us section.
COAAA in the News
Rising inflation taking a toll on seniors on fixed incomes, ABC6, 4-19-22
Local Agency’s Sole Purpose is Helping Aging Loved Ones, NBC4, 12-2-21
11 volunteers recognized for service by Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, NBC4, 10-6-21
Home health care industry 'in crisis' leaves people scrambling to find help for loved ones, Columbus Dispatch, 10-2-21
Addressing Real Issues for Caregivers of Loved Ones, Daytime Columbus on NBC4, 6-30-21
‘A lot of frustration’: Online vaccine scheduling process is challenging for seniors, those who help them, WBNS-10TV, 2-17-21
Wellness Wednesday: Navigating Ohio’s Vaccine Signup System, All Sides with Ann Fisher on WOSU Radio, 2-10-21
Creating Second Responders for Our Aging Population, Daytime Columbus on NBC4, 2-4-21
COAAA Overview and Services, Aging in Full Bloom podcast, 1-27-21
Central Ohio agency assisting elderly find vaccine locations, WSYX ABC6, 1-15-21
Daytime Columbus: COAAA Reaching More Seniors to Help Them Stay in Their Homes, NBC4 WCMH-TV, 9-28-20
Briefs: Aging organization wins pandemic grant, Newark Advocate, 4-25-20
Help on the way for Central Ohio seniors impacted by coronavirus, ABC6 WSYX, 4-1-20
COAAA Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), www.coaaa.org, 3-16-20
Ohio Department of Health Opens Call Center to Help with COVID-19 Response, News Release from ODH, 3-6-20
Home-sharing program aims to help elderly property owners, WSYX ABC6 On Your Side, 1-30-20
Platform Promises Access to Untapped Supply of Affordable Housing, Columbus Underground, 1-3-20
Daytime Columbus: Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Connects Seniors with Needed Resources, NBC4 WCMH-TV, 10-29-19
Columbus council’s OKs modest funding for eviction prevention, but ‘it’s a start,’ officials say, Columbus Dispatch, 10-28-19
Crucial help from volunteer group allows elderly residents to remain in their German Village homes, Columbus Dispatch, 10-1-19
COAAA and Nesterly launch homesharing program, 9-12-19
Columbus Launching Transportation Initiatives For Hilltop Seniors, WOSU-89.7, 8-28-19
Age-Friendly Mobility Projects Unveiled, WCBE-90.5, 8-27-19
One in three seniors is lonely. Here are ways to combat the isolation, stay healthy, Columbus Dispatch, 7-7-19
For some older Ohioians, getting home-delivered meals can be a challenge, Columbus Dispatch, 7-5-19
Ohio’s population ages fast as services try to keep up, Columbus Dispatch, 6-20-19
Ohio Relies Heavily on Volunteers to Handle Aging Adults' Affairs, Public News Service, 6-10-19
Caring For The Elderly In 2019, All Sides on WOSU-89.7, 5-29-19
Five Innovative Ways Cities Are Improving Life for Seniors, Wall St. Journal, 5-22-19
Columbus Neighborhoods: Intergenerational Living, WOSU, 4-25-19
City Grant Will Help Keep Seniors In Their Homes, WCBE-90.5, 2-12-19
Keep an eye on elderly neighbors during cold snap, NBC4 WCMH-TV, 1-29-19
Letter: Volunteers, staff made gift drive a success, Columbus Dispatch, 1-16-19
COAAA seeking nominations for Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, Record Herald, 1-16-19
Support of villages can benefit elderly, Toledo Blade, 1-5-19
SourcePoint launches caregiver support group, Delaware Gazette, 1-4-19
How to talk to loved ones about dementia around the holidays, Columbus Dispatch, 12-10-18
Adopt A Senior Season of Giving, NBC4 WCMH-TV, 12-4-18
Love in a box: Program allows central Ohioans to adopt a senior for the holidays, Columbus Dispatch, 11-22-18
Columbus Announces Plans For Senior Living 'Village' In Hilltop, WOSU-89.7, 10-30-18
More Ohioans now required to report suspected elder abuse, Columbus Dispatch, 9-28-18