Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless in support of trash removal, safe storage, and hygiene initiatives for the City’s unsheltered population. This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to the Foundation to support these efforts, as the Coalition does not currently have sufficient funds on-hand to await reimbursement for expenses incurred.
With the City’s population of unsheltered residents growing to a new high in 2026, there is a growing need to ensure basic needs for those residents. The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, whose mission involves empowering and advocating for the homeless, will work with several local partners on the City’s West and South Side to achieve a healthier community for persons living outside and those directly impacted by homeless encampments. These efforts will focus on three areas: improving health through access to showers and hygiene; safe storage of personal belongings; and improving health and maintenance of community spaces through the removal of trash in and around encampments. The intent of the Coalition is achieving a more connected and engaged community of people living outside and moving toward the end goal of ending their experience of homelessness.
Council is proposing support of $125,000.00 for these efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT: $125,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested in order for the Coalition to immediately address urgent needs surrounding trash removal, safe storage, and hygiene for unsheltered residents.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, in support of trash removal, safe storage, and hygiene initiatives for the City’s unsheltered population; to authorize the appropriation of $107,500.00 and expenditure of $125,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($125,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to assist unsheltered individuals with basic health, hygiene, and protection of personal property, as well as the maintenance and care of community spaces; and
WHEREAS, our homeless population in Columbus has continued to grow into 2026, with unsheltered homelessness increasing by 43% since last year; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Coalition for the Homeless is collaborating with community partners to address these needs, with a focus on the West and South Side of the City; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $125,000.00 for efforts to address these needs; and
WHEREAS, $125,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's Office in that it is necessary for the Clerk to enter into an agreement with the Coalition in order to immediately address urgent needs surrounding trash removal, safe storage, and hygiene for unsheltered residents; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with Columbus Coalition for the Homeless in support of waste management, safe storage, and hygiene initiatives for the City’s unsheltered population.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $107,500.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $125,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.