Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to provide financial support to three community resettlement agencies for outreach and support regarding food and housing insecurity. Funds are intended for programming that will occur during the 2026 calendar year. Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. (CRIS), Jewish Family Service, and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services will use this assistance to address food and housing insecurity in light of recent cuts to SNAP for CRIS clients in need of assistance. While some refugees received SNAP funds in November, most will likely see the cuts in December and beyond. Each organization will receive $67,000 to provide services for housing and insecurity due to the recent changes impacting the SNAP program and the refugee populations each organization serves.
The mission of CRIS is to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community.
Jewish Family Service's mission is to helps individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency and emotional stability.
The mission of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services is to be the focal point of societal integration for immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals to help improve the quality of life through education, training, supportive services, and self-development opportunities while increasing awareness of the diverse cultures and heritage.
Grant funding for the programming may include the purchase of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage items, which serve the public for the purpose of administering programming. Food and/or non-alcoholic beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement. Any cost of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: It is immediately necessary to authorize grant agreements with these nonprofit agencies in support of their immigrant and refugee resettlement services and programs, in light of the reduced funding being received from other sources.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter grant agreements with Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc., Jewish Family Service, and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the payment of non-food related program expenses; to allow food and/or non-alcoholic beverage expenses incurred after the effective date of the ordinance; and to declare an emergency. ($201,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, according to the National Immigration Law Center, "This summer, Congress passed the harmful 2025 reconciliation law that drastically cut food assistance for immigrants who were otherwise eligible under the law. The bill restricted eligibility for SNAP, which will now be available only to lawful permanent residents (LPRs or green card holders), certain immigrants from Cuba and Haiti, and people living in the United States under a Compact of Free Association (known as “COFA citizens”);" and
WHEREAS, the National Immigration Law Center goes on to say, "SNAP benefits are an important and effective policy. Substantial data shows that SNAP leads to lower health care costs and improved health outcomes. The program significantly reduces poverty, with some estimates that SNAP can reduce the poverty rate by 14 to 16 percent. Each dollar in SNAP generates $1.79 in economic activity;" and
WHEREAS, the mission of Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. is to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Jewish Family Service is to help individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency and emotional stability; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services is to be the focal point of societal integration for immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals to help improve the quality of life through education, training, supportive services, and self-development opportunities while increasing awareness of the diverse cultures and heritage; and
WHEREAS, it is the steadfast policy of this Council to protect and celebrate all members of our community, including immigrants and refugees; and
WHEREAS, this Council stands in firm opposition to all xenophobic, prejudiced, and hateful rhetoric from other levels of government; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize grant agreements with these nonprofit agencies in support of their immigrant and refugee resettlement services and programs in light of reduced funding being received from other sources, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorizes to enter into grant agreements with Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. (CRIS), Jewish Family Service, and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services in support of immigration and refugee resettlement services and programs.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $201,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $201,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That Columbus City Council deems the expenditure of food and non-alcoholic beverages to be a proper public purpose. Any cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Food and beverage related expenditures will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement and shall not exceed $15 per person.
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 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 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereunto, where 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.