Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Bluebird Properties Incorporated (BPI), a non-profit organization. The funds provided by the agreement will be used to undertake the acquisition and rehabilitation components as well as the construction of new build in-fill housing of the Home Again Initiative. BPI currently facilitates the production of affordable housing and the enhancement of home ownership opportunities in Columbus. This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $250,000 to BPI for the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant houses to increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing as well as to enhance neighborhood revitalization activities. Specifically, the proposal is to provide the funds to BPI to selectively target acquisitions of vacant properties for redevelopment and to ensure maximum neighborhood revitalization potential of the Franklinton area of the City. BPI may also receive properties from the city that are acquired via the enforcement process.
The Housing Preservation Fund represents the City's commitment to the preservation of housing units affordable to low and moderate-income individuals.
Emergency action is necessary to allow for BPI to immediately begin the acquisition process.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is from the Housing Preservation Fund - 2007 Capital Improvements Budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with Bluebird Properties Incorporated to implement a component of the City's Home Again Initiative; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Housing Preservation Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development, Housing Division desires to administer a Housing Preservation Fund from city bond proceeds; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter into an agreement with the Bluebird Properties Incorporated and to expend $250,000.00 in bond proceeds; and
WHEREAS, these monies will be used to assist in implementing the Home Again Initiative to preserve the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, the develop Bluebird Properties Incorporated anticipates completing no more than twenty four (24) projects, and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow for acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant properties to begin immediately, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to expend said funds 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 enter into an agreement with Bluebird Properties Incorporated to implement a component of the City's Home Again Initiative to convert vacant houses to productive use and construct new build in-fill housing in the Franklinton area of the City.
Section 2. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
Section 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Department of Development, Division 44-10, Fund 782, Project No. 782001, Object Level One 06, Object Level Three 6616, OCA Code 782001.
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 expenditure of capital improvements budget funds from this authorization will be for acquisition and subsequent rehabilitation of vacant houses for sale to eligible households.
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.