Apartments Are Homes, Too

As we engage in conversations about Worthington’s future and housing options, one topic that always sparks strong opinions is the idea of adding apartments or denser housing types. One concern that comes up again and again is the fear that apartment complexes or affordable housing will lead to more crime. That’s a serious worry for some residents, but it’s important that we address it with facts, empathy, and common sense.

Most people who live in apartments or affordable housing are just trying to build a stable life—hold a job, raise a family, and contribute to their community. When people have access to safe, decent, and affordable homes, they’re better able to focus on work, education, and health. That stability reduces the risk of crime, not increases it.

Crime is more closely linked to economic isolation, lack of opportunity, and underinvestment in communities—not the style of housing. Simply living in an apartment doesn’t cause crime. In fact, when housing options are thoughtfully integrated into communities, especially in areas like Worthington with access to jobs, schools, and transit, people are more likely to succeed.

It’s easy to point to an apartment complex and say “crime is higher there.” But that doesn’t tell the full story. Are there other community supports nearby? Are residents connected to opportunity? Are we investing in people as well as places? These are the real drivers of neighborhood well-being. 

We can also plan for safety and success. Modern housing design, smart zoning, and community planning can support both density and safety. Good lighting, green space, eyes on the street, and mixed-use areas help make neighborhoods safer for everyone, regardless of housing type. Safety is not about keeping people out—it’s about creating places where everyone can thrive. 

Apartments, duplexes, townhomes—these are all homes. And the people who live in them are our neighbors, coworkers, parents of our children’s classmates, and older adults who’ve spent a lifetime contributing to our city. We should be focusing on welcoming them, not excluding them based on housing style.

As we talk about housing, it’s worth asking ourselves: What comes to mind when we think about apartments? Why do we feel uneasy about certain housing types or the people who might live there? Sometimes, these reactions are rooted in past experiences, but they can also be shaped by longstanding stereotypes or assumptions, even ones we don’t realize we’ve absorbed.

This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about being honest with ourselves. We all want safe, vibrant neighborhoods. The key is to focus on what really makes a neighborhood strong: trust, connection, and opportunity—not the number of units on a property or whether someone owns or rents their home.

If we truly want to build a community where people feel they belong, we have to be open to examining what makes us uncomfortable and ask whether those concerns are really grounded in facts, or just in fear.

As an inner-ring suburb, Worthington is well-positioned to be part of the solution to Central Ohio’s housing pressures. Welcoming a broader mix of housing isn’t about sacrificing safety—it’s about embracing a more connected, sustainable future. Diversity in people, housing, and experience makes our community stronger.

Learn more, share your voice, and join us at: https://worthingtontogether.org/