Explanation
Background
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize an appropriation and expenditure in support of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging’s Housing Assistance Program (HAP). This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to COAAA to support these efforts. COAAA does not have the up-front resources to support this portion of the program.
COAAA's Housing Assistance Program provides emergency assistance to older adults and individuals with disabilities who face unforeseen hardships that threaten their ability to maintain housing and utility services. Older adults are especially vulnerable to housing insecurity as it has an increased impact on their physical and cognitive health. Older adults access to housing is also limited by their fixed income and limited mobility.
COAAA is a member of the Central Ohio Stable Housing Network (COSHN) through the Department of Development. HAP supplements ERA funding as it focuses on older adults and people with disabilities. COAAA secures state and federal funds to support this program. However, these funds require a local contribution. City Council is providing assistance to meet this matching fund requirement. While the program supports older adults across the Central Ohio Region, all City of Columbus funds are reserved for Columbus residents.
In 2025, HAP assisted 394 older residents in maintaining their housing. The $100,000 granted by Columbus City Council supported emergency assistance for 76 residents: 48 were rent-burdened, and 28 were severely rent-burdened. Additionally, the Columbus City Council's foundational support enabled COAAA to leverage an additional $400,000 in State and Federal grant funds for emergency housing assistance in 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: $75,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested so that funding is not interrupted for emergency housing assistance for vulnerable older adults and those with disabilities.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging in support of its Housing Assistance Program; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $75,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency ($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, COAAA's Housing Assistance Program provides emergency assistance to older adults and individuals with disabilities who face unforeseen hardships that threaten their ability to maintain housing and utility services; and
WHEREAS, older adults are especially vulnerable to housing insecurity as it has an increased impact on their physical and cognitive health; and
WHEREAS, COAAA has obtained emergency housing assistance funding for its Housing Assistance Program, but needs a local matching contribution; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $75,000.00 in support of these needs; and
WHEREAS, $75,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk in that it is necessary to ensure funding is not interrupted for emergency housing assistance for vulnerable older adults and those with disabilities, 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 authorized to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging in support of its Housing Assistance Program.
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $75,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $75,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.