COLUMBIA — Emily Goes, a 2025 graduate from the University of Missouri, told the Columbia City Council at its meeting on Monday that she and others in the city are facing a housing crisis.

Goes is one of many Columbia residents struggling to find affordable housing without a lease gap. Renters comprise more than half of Columbia's population.

Goes said her last lease ended July 15, and her new one was not set to start until Aug. 6.

"I was left with three weeks of homelessness, basically, where I had to figure it out," Goes said.

This gap leaves residents moving out to couch surf at friends' places, or take off work and travel somewhere they can stay temporarily.

A group of renters facing issues like this formed the Columbia Tenants Union. Jack Dobbs, an organizer for the union, starte

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