BACKGROUND: This ordinance is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management, in their capacity to act on behalf of the Mayor, to submit a Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to file the City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan for review and approval by HUD. This ordinance is also necessary to authorize the Mayor to execute the HOME-ARP Grant Agreement upon HUD’s approval of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan.
The City of Columbus was allocated a one-time grant of $16,433,138.00 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the American Rescue Plan Act and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME-ARP). HOME-ARP funds must be used to address the need for homelessness assistance and supportive services in Columbus. The City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is proposing to utilize the grant funds for the development of affordable rental housing; supportive services; tenant-based rental assistance; administration and planning; and non-profit operating and capacity building assistance. The Plan will be submitted to HUD through a Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan. Upon HUD’s approval of the City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, the Mayor must execute a Grant Agreement to accept the funds.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the Mayor to accept $16,433,138.00 in HOME-ARP grant funds. There will be future legislation to authorize appropriations and expenditures of these funds. ($16,433,138.00)
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to submit a Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan to HUD; and to authorize the Mayor to execute the HOME-ARP Grant Agreement.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus was allocated a one-time grant of $16,433,138.00 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the American Rescue Plan Act and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME-ARP); and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management has completed HUD’s required consultation process, needs assessment, and gap analysis to determine funding for HOME-ARP eligible projects and has outlined projects and budgets in the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management has budgeted funding within the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan for the following projects: the development of affordable rental housing; supportive services; tenant-based rental assistance; administration and planning; and non-profit operating and capacity building assistance; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management will complete a public participation process to solicit feedback from Columbus residents and community members on the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan before submittal to HUD; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management must submit the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to HUD through a Substantial Amendment to the 2021 Annual Action Plan in order for HUD to review and approve the Plan; and
WHEREAS, Upon HUD’s approval of the City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, the Mayor must execute a Grant Agreement to accept the allocated HOME-ARP grant funds; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management to authorize the Director to submit a Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan to HUD and to authorize the Mayor to execute the HOME-ARP Grant Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to submit a Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan to HUD in order to file the City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan for review and approval by HUD.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute a Grant Agreement and other required certifications to accept the City’s allocated HOME-ARP grant funds.
SECTION 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.