Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, LASCO, a non-profit corporation, in an amount up to $1,500,000.00, to enable the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to be the Designated Organization as defined in the Columbus City Codes and to make available free full legal representation to unrepresented tenants facing eviction from their homes at Franklin County Municipal Court and to authorize the payment of expenditures prior to the execution of the purchase order beginning March 1, 2026.
Eviction filings in Columbus and Franklin County are at a historic high, as the region faces an affordable housing crisis. Evictions have negative effects on both families and the Columbus community. Statistics show overwhelmingly that tenants who have representation have a better chance at remaining in their home. However, the vast majority of low-income households facing an eviction cannot afford an attorney to represent them while property owners are almost always represented. This dynamic makes it difficult for tenants to defend themselves and negotiate an outcome that reduces the impact of the eviction filing on their family.
In December 2024 the City of Columbus enacted legislation (Ordinance 3510-2024) amending Columbus City Codes (sections 4551.08 and 4551.081) in order to provide access to legal services for low income residents as defined in the Code. The purpose of this grant funding is to enable the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to be the Designated Organization as defined in the Columbus City Codes and to make available free full legal representation to unrepresented tenants facing eviction from their homes at Franklin County Municipal Court.
The Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) offers free noncriminal legal help for people with low incomes, veterans, and seniors in 36 counties. Their mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice to reduce poverty and increase opportunity.
LASCO is the primary law firm in central Ohio that provides free legal services to low-income residents facing eviction. These services are primarily provided through the Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP). TAP provides free services from lawyers that are onsite at Eviction Court five days a week to meet with Columbus residents and provide them immediate representation in eviction proceedings. TAP attorneys are available to represent tenants at any stage of the eviction process, including appellate representation.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency exists in that it is necessary to provide uninterrupted services in providing legal representation to low-income residents in eviction proceedings at court to prevent evictions and to prevent entry into homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding of $1,500,000.00 is available within the General Fund budget.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 004239 and expires on 01/16/2028.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio in an amount up to $1,500,000.00 to enable the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to be the Designated Organization as defined in the Columbus City Codes and to make available free full legal representation to unrepresented tenants facing eviction from their homes at Franklin County Municipal Court; to authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $1,500,000.00; to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order beginning March 1, 2026; and declare an emergency. ($1,500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio in an amount up to $1,500,000.00 to enable the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to be the Designated Organization as defined in the Columbus City Codes and to make available free full legal representation to unrepresented tenants facing eviction from their homes at Franklin County Municipal Court; and
WHEREAS, in December 2024 the City of Columbus enacted legislation (Ordinance 3510-2024) amending Columbus City Codes (sections 4551.08 and 4551.081) in order to provide access to legal services for low-income residents as defined in the Code.; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to authorize the expenditures prior to the execution of the purchase order beginning March 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) offers free noncriminal legal help for people with low incomes, veterans, and seniors in 36 counties. Their mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice to reduce poverty and increase opportunity; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Department of Development to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with the Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio, LASCO, to provide uninterrupted services in providing legal representation to low-income residents within eviction court at their proceedings in order to prevent evictions and to prevent entry into homelessness thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, and safety; 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 grant agreement with the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio in an amount up to $1,500,000.00 to enable the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to be the Designated Organization as defined in the Columbus City Codes and to make available free full legal representation to unrepresented tenants facing eviction from their homes at Franklin County Municipal Court; to authorize expenditures incurred prior to the purchase order, beginning March 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-12 (Housing Stability), in object class 05 (Other) 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 deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
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 which 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 it.