Explanation
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks on behalf of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA), to enter into a grant agreement with The Ohio State University College of Social Work Age Friendly Innovation Center to conduct an evaluation into the efficacy and sustainability of the Shallow Rental Subsidy Pilot Program for the period of October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
In July 2024, COAAA launched a pilot program providing shallow rental subsidies for case-managed clients across our eight-county Central Ohio region who spend more than 50% of their income on housing. A shallow rental subsidy provides less assistance than a federally funded deep rental subsidy but is more enduring than one-off emergency rental assistance. The rationale for this type of assistance is that some households consistently struggle financially but do not require the degree of assistance provided by a deep subsidy to achieve housing security. Further, deep rental subsidies are notoriously scarce, so shallow subsidies may represent a more cost-effective and flexible way for local governments and organizations to promote housing security among their constituents and clients. COAAA’s pilot program seeks to increase housing stability and well-being and reduce the need for emergency rental assistance among program participants.
Principal Parties:
The Ohio State University College of Social Work
Melanie Dheel, Chief Administration Officer
1947 College Rd, Stillman Hall
Columbus OH 43210
614-247-2788
FID: 31-6025986
FISCAL IMPACT: Total appropriation is $9,002.94 and is available within the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department on behalf of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging to enter into a grant agreement with The Ohio State University College of Social Work, on behalf of Age-Friendly Innovation Center, to conduct an evaluation into the efficacy and sustainability of the Shallow Rental Subsidy Pilot Program; to authorize an expenditure of $9,002.94 within the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. ($9,002.94)
Body
WHEREAS, the goal of The Ohio State University College of Social Work and Age-Friendly Innovation Center is to assist low-income seniors in our City with basic social needs; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance will fund OSU College of Social Work's and Age-Friendly's evaluation of COAAA’s Shallow Rental Subsidy Pilot Program; and
WHEREAS, $9,002.94 is available in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund for expenditure to provide for this need; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with The Ohio State University College of Social Work, on behalf of the Age Friendly Innovation Center to evaluate of COAAA’s Shallow Rental Subsidy Pilot Program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $9,002.94 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the actions authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund, Department No. 51, Fund No. 2286, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure is hereby authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.