Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development enter into an unplanned modification a Not For Profit Service Contract with Community Shelter Board to add additional funding in an amount up to $83,800.00 from the ERA2 fund. The additional funding will continue to help coordinate the work of the Homelessness Prevention Network (HPN) by administering the program, data management, and the continued coordination between the networks of agencies through September 30, 2025.
This unplanned modification is needed as the Homelessness prevention Network (HPN) has grown and improved through its first year. Due to the growth there are additional trainings, system design, implementation needs, as well as an evaluation of the HPN to determine effectiveness in preventing entry into the homelessness system. This funding will further train and certify the housing resource specialists in homelessness prevention as well as provide the additional support needed to assure the growth of the program and evaluate the program to assure its effectiveness.
The additional funding was reviewed by the Human Services team with regards to the cost of the trainings, certifications, and the need for growth within the program and found it to be sufficient. It is in the best interest of the City not to do further procurement efforts for this modification as the CSB is the leader and coordinator of the work for the HPN.
Original Agreement $ 153,600.00 Ord. 3301-2023 PO424901
Modification No. 1 $ 83,800.00 Ord. 2580-2024
Total $ 237,400.00
Ordinance No. 3301-2023 which was approved on December 4, 2023 by council authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Community Shelter Board in an amount up to $153,600.00 of U.S. Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA2) funds. This authorization allowed Community Shelter Board work with hard-to-reach and vulnerable families, expectant mothers, and single adults experiencing housing instability.
Ordinance No. 2275-2023 authorized the City of Columbus to accept and appropriate up to $90,537,806.23 of Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) program funds, as passed by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
The purpose of ERA2 funding is to support housing stability for renters. The City of Columbus in collaboration with the Homelessness Prevention Network (HPN) launched an initiative utilizing ERA2 funding to refine and strengthen the community’s homelessness prevention infrastructure.
The City of Columbus is funding 28 non-profits to host Housing Resource Specialists who work with hard-to-reach and vulnerable families, expectant mothers, and single adults experiencing housing instability.
The Community Shelter Board leads and coordinates the work of the HPN.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is needed to authorize this unplanned modification to provide further support with additional training as well as other implementation needs of the program. The HPN scope has grown so much within the first year an evaluation of the HPN is also needed to assure the effectiveness in preventing entry into the homelessness system.
Contract Compliance: the vendor number is 004795 and expires 01/09/2025.
Fiscal Impact: $83,800.00 is available from Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA2) funds.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify a Not For Profit Service contract with Community Shelter Board to add additional funds in an amount up to $83,800.00 to expand Columbus’ homelessness prevention efforts and continue the support of the robust, systems approach to preventing homelessness through the Homelessness Prevention Network (HPN) in Columbus with providing additional trainings and evaluation of the HPN; to authorize an expenditure of $83,800.00 from the Emergency Rental Assistance Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($83,800.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development entered into a contract with Community Shelter Board; and
WHEREAS, the ERA2 funds are to assist tenants facing housing instability, eviction, or potential homelessness;
WHEREAS, Community Shelter Board is providing services to prevent homelessness and eviction for individuals and families in Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this unplanned modification to provide further support with additional training as well as other implementation needs of the program. The HPN scope has grown so much within the first year an evaluation of the HPN is also needed to assure the effectiveness in preventing entry into the homelessness system, for the immediate preservation of the public, health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to modify a Not For Profit Service Contract with Community Shelter Board to add additional funds, in an amount up to $83,800.00, to expand Columbus’ prevention efforts and to continue the implementation of the robust, systems approach to preventing homelessness by further training and evaluating the HPN.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $83,800.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2208 (Emergency Rental Assistance Fund), from Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 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.