Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc. (dba Homeport) for the renovation of Emerald Glen, a 130-unit affordable housing apartment complex, in an amount up to $762,000.00. Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc. will enter into a grant agreement with the city for the bond funds as a pass-through entity. Emerald Glen Homes Rehab, LLC is the owner of the project and Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc. is the owner of Emerald Glen Housing Rehab Inc, the managing member of Emerald Glen Homes Rehab, LLC. This agreement will also permit expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order, starting January 27, 2026, for construction and rehabilitation costs.
Emerald Glen is a 130-unit apartment complex for families on the far west side of Columbus encompassing 14.8 acres. Built in 1995 by Homeport and financed by Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the property is greatly in need of substantial rehabilitation. The property has not been substantially renovated since it was first built. Homeport proposes replacing interior finishes such as flooring, cabinets and countertops; replacement of lighting fixtures; replacement of plumbing fixtures and hot-water heaters; the addition of accessible units for disabled individuals and the HVAC systems, as part of the scope of work, which will improve units’ livability and energy efficiency, and residents’ comfort.
Emerald Glen offers a mix of housing types, including two- and three-bedroom flats and three- and four-bedroom townhomes. Although Emerald Glen feels secluded between Hall Road and the Camp Chase Bike Trail, it is located within three miles of many thousands of jobs clustered along the I-270 outer belt, between I-70 and Urbancrest within a mile of the Georgesville Square shopping center.
Renovation of this 130-unit affordable housing project preserves affordable housing for existing residents, while also creating fifteen accessible units for disabled tenants. The tenants served are those whose annual income is at or below 30%, 60% or 80% AMI. The improvements will also have a positive impact on the sustainability of the project with the improvement of the efficiency of the mechanicals in the building.
Emergency action is requested as this project is currently in construction. Without emergency action, delays in funding and, subsequently the construction timeline, could create disruptions for tenants and the low-income community in urgent need for affordable housing.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $762,000.00 is available in 2025 Capital Improvement Budget, Affordable Housing Bond fund. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Budget is required to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 004842 and expires 03/13/2026.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc. (dba Homeport) for the renovation of Emerald Glen, an affordable housing apartment complex, an amount up to $762,000.00; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds within the Affordable Housing Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $762,000.00 from the Affordable Housing Bond Fund; to authorize reimbursement of expenditures incurred prior to the creation of a Purchase Order; and to declare an emergency. ($762,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Development seeks to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc. (dba Homeport) for the renovation of Emerald Glen, a 130-unit affordable housing apartment complex, in an amount up to $762,000.00; and
WHEREAS, Emerald Glen is a 130-unit apartment complex for families on the far west side of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the property has not been substantially renovated since it was first built and Homeport proposes updates that will improve units’ livability and energy efficiency, and residents’ comfort.; and
WHEREAS, renovation of this 130-unit affordable housing project preserves affordable housing for existing residents, while also creating fifteen accessible units for disabled tenants; and
WHEREAS, the tenants served are those whose annual income is at or below 30%, 60% or 80% AMI; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc., who will act as a pass-through entity to loan the funds to Emerald Glen Homes Rehab LLC; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to establish sufficient authority for this project; and
WHEREAS, authorization is requested for the transfer and expenditure within the Affordable Housing Bond Fund in an amount up to $762,000.00; and
WHEREAS, approval is also requested for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting January 27, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc. (dba Homeport) to maintain the project schedule as the project is currently in construction and delays in funding and, subsequently the construction timeline, could create disruptions for tenants and the low-income community in urgent need for affordable housing, 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 Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc. (dba Homeport) for the renovation of Emerald Glen in an amount up to $762,000.00 and to authorize expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting January 27, 2026.
SECTION 2. The Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc., who will act as a pass-through entity to loan the funds to Emerald Glen Homes Rehab LLC.
SECTION 3. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7779 / P782050-100017/ Lofts on Long (Voted Carryover) /$2,740,000.00/($762,000.00)/$1,978,000.00 7779 / P782050-100027/ Emerald Glen (Voted Carryover) /$0.00/ $762,000.00/ $762,000.00
SECTION 4. That the transfer of $762,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7779 (Affordable Housing Bond fund), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $762,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 7779 (Affordable Housing Bond fund), Project P782050-100027, Dept. 44-10 (Housing), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 9. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.