Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City is a participating jurisdiction receiving federal funds under the HOME Investment Partnerships program (HOME) of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The regulations of the program provide that funds may be used to administer a tenant-based rental assistance program. This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to modify contract DL013112 with Southeast, Inc by extending the contract termination date from December 31, 2007 to January 31, 2009. This legislation also authorizes the expenditure of $142,152.14 from the HOME Fund to modify and increase the contract with Southeast, Inc. The additional time and funds will allow the contactor to continue to support the operation of the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA) for the purpose of implementing and monitoring a tenant-based rental assistance program on behalf of the City. The TBRA will use HOME funds to provide rental subsidies and security deposits for chronically homeless persons participating in the Rebuilding Lives initiative. Rebuilding Lives enables the development and maintenance of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless persons.
HOME Fund regulations for TBRA are very similar to HUD's Section 8 Program. Southeast, Inc. will lease housing units for the Rebuilding Lives program. Southeast, Inc. will maintain and operate the housing units and related facilities to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing in accordance with the HUD Housing Quality Standards. The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) will inspect units. The City's Consolidated Action Plan for 2008 contains TBRA housing preference priorities for chronically homeless persons.
Emergency action is requested in order to ensure rental subsidies are in place for 2008.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this expenditure are allocated from the Rebuilding Lives set-aside of the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund allocation of the 2008 Home Funds.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program contract with Southeast, Inc by extending the contract to January 31, 2009; to authorize the expenditure of $142,152.14 from the HOME Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($142,152.14)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to modify contract DL013112 with Southeast, Inc by extending the contract termination date from December 31, 2007 to January 31, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is the recipient of HOME Investment Partnerships funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the City is a partner in the Rebuilding Lives initiative to provide permanent supportive housing to chronically homeless persons; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to assist the Rebuilding Lives initiative by establishing a tenant-based rental assistance program; and
WHEREAS, there is an immediate need for tenant-based rental assistance to continue rent subsidies for participants in the Rebuilding Lives Program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to modify the contract with Southeast, Inc. to permit the payment of tenant-based rental assistance beginning January, 2008, thereby avoiding an interruption in program services, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to modify contract DL013112 with Southeast, Inc by extending the contract termination date from December 31, 2007 to January 31, 2009 and by increasing the contract amount by $142,152.14 for the purposes of operating the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program.
Section 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1 the expenditure of $142,152.14 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Department No. 44-10, Fund 201, Grant No. 458001, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA 448131.
Section 3. That this modification is made pursuant to Section 329.16 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended.
Section 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.