Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department Development to enter a grant agreement with the Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc., CRIS, in an amount up to $125,000.00 to assist with work permits, employment, and long-term housing for the residents of the Colonial Village apartment complex, and to authorize expenditures beginning May 1, 2024. Funding will be advanced to the organization on a predetermined schedule.
Throughout December 2023 and January 2024 approximately 1,300 tenants were relocated to temporary housing due to unsafe and unhealthy conditions at the Colonial Village Apartment complex. The City of Columbus began providing temporary housing support to the families who were vacated from Colonial Village in November of 2023. Many of those families are still utilizing this option because they are not able to legally work in the United States until they have applied for and received a work permit. This funding will allow CRIS to work with families to apply for permits. With a work permit, families can access employment and identify a long term stable housing option.
Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc., CRIS, operates to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding of $125,000.00 is available within the General Fund, Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 005773 and expires on 10/07/24.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: To assist families who are currently in transitional housing navigate the process to secure work permits in order gain employment, access housing and exit the shelter system.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. in an amount up to $125,000.00 to assist with work permits, employment, and long-term housing for the residents of the Colonial Village apartment complex; to authorize the advancement of funds on a predetermined schedule; to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure of $125,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($125,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, approximately 1,300 tenants were relocated to temporary housing due to unsafe and unhealthy conditions at the Colonial Village Apartment complex; and
WHEREAS, many of those families are still utilizing this option because they are not able to legally work in the United States until they have applied for and received a work permit; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department Development desires to enter a grant agreement with the Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc., CRIS, in an amount up to $125,000.00 to assist with work permits, employment, and long-term housing for the residents of the Colonial Village apartment complex; 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 of the Department of Development to execute a grant agreement with the Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. to assist these families who are currently in transitional housing navigate the process to secure work permits in order gain employment, access housing and exit the shelter system, all for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and safety; 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 a grant agreement with the Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $125,000.00 to assist with work permits, employment, and long-term housing for the residents of the Colonial Village apartment complex; to authorize expenditures incurred prior to the purchase order, beginning May 1, 2024; and to authorize the advancement funds per a schedule to be included in the agreement.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the sum of $125,000.00 is appropriated in fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100018 (Neighborhoods Initiatives Subfund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), in object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $125,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100018 (Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), in Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contract modifications associated with this Ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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.