Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of FY 2008 HOME monies within the HOME Investment Partnerships Program for the Department of Development. The funds will assist non-profit Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) with grants and no or low interest loans for projects designed to increase and preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low income families. A Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2008, announced that approximately $1 million in HOME funds had become available for competitive reallocation as a result of the de-obligation by HUD of Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set-aside funds that were not committed in a timely manner. The HOME statute requires that any de-obligated CHDO funds must be reallocated by competition.
The City of Columbus is one of six cities that were selected for funding through the nationwide competition for HUD reallocated funds. The City's award is for $250,000, the maximum amount. As a participating jurisdiction (PJ) the City of Columbus must use the funds to produce energy efficient and environmentally-friendly (Green) housing units that are owned, developed or sponsored by eligible CHDOs, using design and technology models that can be replicated. All CHDO units developed with these funds must meet all HOME eligibility and affordability requirements, and qualify for and receive Energy Star certification by an independent HOME Energy Rater (HER) upon completion.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City of Columbus is awarded $250,000 by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund HOME eligible activities.
Title
To authorize an appropriation of $250,000 from the 2008 HOME Fund to the Department of Development; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000 from the HOME Fund to provide funding for various approved 2008 programs; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds from the unappropriated balance of the 2008 HOME Fund to the Department of Development; and
WHEREAS, HOME funds will be used to assist non-profit Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) with grants and no or low interest loans for projects designed to increase and preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low income families; and
WHEREAS, these funds must be used to produce energy efficient and environmentally-friendly (Green) housing units that are owned, developed or sponsored by eligible CHDOs, using design and technology models that can be replicated; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate and expend said funds in order to avoid an interruption in program services, 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 from the unappropriated balance in the HOME Fund, Fund 201, Grant 458001 and from any and all sources unallocated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, the sum of $250,000 be and hereby is appropriated to the Development Department, Department 44-10, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5528, OCA Code 448133 (CHDO 15% Set-aside).
Section 2. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Director of the Department of Development and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
Section 3. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to assist non-profit Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) with grants and no or low interest loans for projects designed to increase and preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low income families.
Section 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Department of Development, Division 44-10, Fund 201, Grant 458001, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5528, OCA Code 448133, (CHDO 15% Set-aside).
Section 5. 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.