Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) for the implementation of a new single adult crisis response system. The contract will provide $1,104,612 from the General Fund for the purpose of assisting homeless men and women to transition more efficiently and effectively from a place of homelessness to permanent housing and stability. Despite the economy doing well in Columbus and central Ohio, the number of single adults in homelessness grew 14% over the last three years. With longer shelter stays, and two out of three single adults unable to secure stable housing, the system is struggling to move people out of homelessness. As a result, more than half return to homelessness, filling up much-needed shelter beds. Waitlists for single men and women continue to grow - at times 125 people have been waiting for a shelter bed because they are all full. That means people are sleeping on the streets and in abandoned buildings.
The Community Shelter Board along with its partner agencies will launch a transformational new system designed to move single adults more quickly into stable housing, stop repeat homelessness, and add more capacity when overflow demands are high to make sure everyone who needs shelter is able to get it. There are three key components: First, a new emergency shelter will address the growing numbers of men, women and families who are experiencing homelessness so no one has to sleep on the streets in Columbus. Second, case managers called Navigators will link with a person when they enter the homeless system and work with them throughout their stay. Third, relationships with key partner agencies will be strengthened and enhanced.
The current Navigator pilot program, which received City funding, has demonstrated that this model can enable our community to help individuals who are homeless or near homelessness to resolve their housing crisis.
The $1,104,612 will fund emergency shelter costs and partial year implementation of the new crisis response system. Additional non-City public and private sector funding are being invested in this initiative.
Emergency action is requested so that the Community Shelter Board can expand these services immediately.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are allocated from the FY2014 General Fund budget. A transfer of $954,612 will be made from the citywide account.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board for the purpose of implementing of a new single adult crisis response system; to authorize the transfer of $954,612.00 within the General Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $1,104,612.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,104,612.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board; and
WHEREAS, the city supports the implementation of a new single adult crisis response system which will assist homeless men and women to transition more efficiently and effectively from a place of homelessness to permanent housing and stability; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is necessary to continue to provide these essential services to the homeless without interruption, thereby preserving 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 contract with the Community Shelter Board for the purpose of implementing of a new single adult crisis response system.
Section 2. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended.
Section 3. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $954,612 within the General Fund, Fund 010 from the Department of Finance & Management, Department/Division 45-01, Object Level One 10, Object Level Three 5501, OCA 904508 to the Department of Development Department/Division 44-10, Object Level One 3, Object Level Three 3337, OCA 440284.
Section 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,104,612.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary and be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund, Department of Development, Department/Division 44-10, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440284.
Section 5. 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 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.