Although the study by the Congressional Research Service shows that Columbus has a much healthier housing sector than Cleveland, Cincinnati and Youngstown, the city had nearly 66,000 vacant or abandoned housing units in 2006 out of a total of 360,229, including homes and apartments.

By contrast, about 32 percent of the housing and apartment units in Cleveland were vacant or abandoned. Because the housing sector has deteriorated since 2006, the vacancy numbers in Ohio probably have increased.

The report was made public yesterday by Sen. Sherrod Brown. The Ohio Democrat is pressing for passage of a bill that would provide struggling cities across the country with $500 million during the next three years to demolish vacant buildings or rehabilitate abandoned properties.

Although Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown stand to land more money than Columbus if the bill becomes law, Columbus could attract federal dollars if officials can show areas of the city that are pocked with abandoned homes or vacant lots.

In a conference call with Ohio reporters, Brown said the measure would provide an opportunity to "rebuild our cities and revitalize our neighborhoods," adding that he hopes the initiative would promote a "massive overhaul in city planning."

Lavea Brachman, co-director of Greater Ohio, an organization that champions the refurbishing of vacant homes and lots, said cities need the federal dollars because they "can't go it alone anymore." She predicted the bill would "usher in a new era of urban policy."

Brown is co-sponsoring the Senate version with Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., while the House bill is co-sponsored by Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, and Brian Higgins, D-N.Y. Because Democrats control both the House and Senate, there is a strong chance the measure will pass.

To qualify for the federal dollars, cities would have to show that they have lost population and have high vacancy rates. For example, Cleveland would qualify because its housing vacancy rate is high and its population has shrunk by 41 percent since 1970.

By contrast, Columbus is one of the few major cities in the Midwest to see its population grow, from 540,025 in 1970 to 733,203 in 2006. But aides to Brown said Columbus still could win some money if it shows a concentration of vacant houses.

Brown and Brachman said the bill was designed to be more comprehensive than providing money for teardowns. It also would provide money to devise new uses for older buildings or create parks and other green space.

Dispatch Washington Bureau Chief Jonathan Riskind contributed to this story.

jtorry@dispatch.com