Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to execute a grant agreement with Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio a not-for-profit social service agency in an amount up to $300,000.00 to provide mediation services at eviction court to prevent eviction, homelessness, and help at-at risk residents negotiate viable agreements in court. The period of performance of the Grant Agreement shall be a 12-month period beginning April 1, 2026 and thus authorization to pay for expenditures beginning prior to the purchase order is also requested with this legislation beginning April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Tens of thousands of Columbus residents experience eviction. Eviction disconnects our neighbors from their neighborhoods and disrupts the wellbeing of our residents. With nearly 25,000 eviction filings in 2025 and the highest Writs of Restitution issuances on record, housing for renters in Central Ohio is in crisis. While renters facing eviction are in a dangerously precarious situation, most do not have the support they need to navigate the challenge of eviction. CMS can assist tenants and landlords before eviction cases are filed, helping to resolve housing conflicts before they end up in court through education services and pre-filing negotiations.
Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio also works with many tenants in court who have no viable legal defense by providing impartial mediations between the tenant and the landlord. These non-adversarial dispute resolution services can help vulnerable families avoid the harmful effects of eviction judegments, while also supporting landlords with agreements that are operable for their needs. This cooperative approach fosters constructive relationships with the community’s valuable housing providers.
This grant provides operating support to Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio to continue their existing programs of court mediation and tenant education as a service to the public.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to provide emergency financial assistance to prevent eviction, homelessness and stabilize residents in a housing crisis.
Contract Compliance: the vendor’s contract compliance number is 004914 and expires 05/01/2027
Fiscal Impact: $300,000.00 is available within the Department of Development’s general fund budget
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to execute a grant agreement with Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio a not-for-profit social service agency in an amount up to $300,000.00 to provide operating support to continue mediation services at eviction court to prevent eviction, homelessness, and help at-at risk residents negotiate viable agreements in court.; to authorize expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution, beginning April 1, 2026; to authorize expenditure in an amount up to $300,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is the priority of the City to increase housing stability by helping residents stay housed and prevent displacement; and
WHEREAS, Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio provides mediation services at eviction court to prevent eviction, homelessness, and help at-risk residents negotiate viable agreements in eviction court; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to execute a grant agreement with Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio to provide operating support to continue this program for those in need; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize expenditure within the Department of Development’s general fund budget in an amount up to $300,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting April 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to execute a grant agreement with Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio to provide operating support to continue mediation services at eviction court to prevent eviction, homelessness and stabilize residents in a housing crisis, all for the immediate 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 is hereby authorized to enter into grant agreement with Community Medication Services of Central Ohio in an amount up to $300,000.00 for operating support to help them continue to provide mediation services at eviction court; and to authorize expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution, beginning April 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure in an amount up to $300,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-12 (Housing Stability), in object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this grant agreement is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code related to awarding grant agreement.
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 legislation.
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 which 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 it.