Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contracts with five non-profit organizations to provide HUD certified homebuyer education. In response to the housing mortgage crisis, the city of Columbus has been awarded $22,845,495 of Neighborhood Stabilization Program1 (NSP1) grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds provide for the purchase of foreclosed or abandoned properties, and the redevelopment, rehabilitation or demolition of these properties in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline of house values of neighboring homes.
This legislation provides for the continuation of necessary homebuyer education services. NSP1 requires all NSP homebuyers to complete HUD certified homebuyer education prior to buying an NSP funded home.
Emergency action is requested to continue homebuyer education classes in order to meet HUD's regulations for implementing the NSP funds within the designated time period required by the grant agreement.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $300,000 in General Government Grant funds within the Department of Development. Funds will be made available by partially canceling an Auditor's Certificate.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to cancel $300,000 from an Auditor's Certificate; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $300,000 within the General Government Grant Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contracts with various non-profit organizations for the provision of HUD certified homebuyer education services; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000 from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into contracts with four non profit organizations for the provision of HUD Certified homebuyer education services; and
WHEREAS, the City's NSP application specified the expenditure of funds to redevelop properties through renovation and new construction that meet the program's requirements as established in Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc dba Homeport, Columbus Urban League, Homes on the Hill, OSU Extension, and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission are non-profit organizations with the capacity to provide HUD Certified homebuyer education; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to transfer funds and to enter into a contract with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc dba Homeport, Columbus Urban League, Homes on the Hill, OSU Extension, and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission in order to implement the NSP program in a timely manner as required by the grant agreement with HUD, all for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to cancel $300,000 from Auditor's Certificate No. AC 031393 as follows:
AC 031393-002 $100,000
AC 031393-003 $ 25,000
AC 031393-005 $175,000
Total: $300,000
Section 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $300,000 within the General Government Grant Fund, Fund No.220, Grant 440500 as follows:
FROM:
Division / OJL 1 / OJL 3 / OCA / Amount
44-01 / 01 / 1101 / 440501 / $100,000.00
44-03 / 01 / 1101 / 499049 / $175,000.00
44-10 / 01 / 1101 / 440505 / $ 25,000.00
Total $300,000.00
TO:
Division / OJL 1 / OJL 3 / OCA / Amount
44-10 / 03 / 3336 / 440509 / $300,000
Section 3. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with the Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc (dba Homeport), Columbus Urban League, Homes on the Hill, OSU Extension, and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the purpose of providing HUD certified homebuyer education.
Section 4. That these contracts are awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
Section 5. That for the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Department of Development, Housing Division, Department 44-10, Fund 220, Grant 440500, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA 440509 as follow:
AGENCY AMOUNT
Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc $116,587
Columbus Urban League $73,693
Homes on the Hill $37,234
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission $43,033
OSU Extension $29,453
Total Allocation $300,000
Section 6. That expenditure of funds from this authorization will be in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regulations for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program as established under Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008
(HERA).
Section 7. 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.