Columbus invests $500,000 to provide free car repairs for low-income residents

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A program connecting residents with free car repairs is receiving a half-million dollar boost as it enters its fourth year.

Project Taillight was launched by the city in 2020, providing free repairs on taillights, headlights, turn signals and other small issues to low-income Columbus residents. City Council voted Monday to invest $500,000 into the program's continuation.

"When we were briefing with the city attorney's office last year, we saw the impact that we're making," Councilmember Emmanuel Remy said. "They said to really make an impact, if we increased it to half a million, we'd make a difference. So, that's exactly what we did."

City Attorney Zach Klein said the program has been a success, in part because it can remove a distraction for police.

"This started as an idea within my office about how we can eliminate unnecessary police interactions, and what better police interaction than a traffic stop that's really driven by poverty," Klein said. "These are folks who don't have operable taillights or headlights. So, the reason they're getting pulled over, it's a violation of law because they don't have the money to fix it."

The program has helped 302 residents since its launch in 2020, with a majority of participating residents being Black and female.

"The reality is there's always going to be a need," Klein said. "There's always going to be the individual that's struggling to make ends meet."

Since its launch, the average cost for repairs under Project Taillight has been around $1,660. Now, the investment cap or max per vehicle has been set at $3,200.

"We know the costs are increasing," Remy said. "We're going to make sure that there's enough money there to take care of the needs of everybody."

To learn more about Project Taillight, email outreach@columbus.gov or call 614-702-7462.