Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio for development of a 14-unit affordable housing development in an amount up to $1,000,000.00. The City’s total commitment to this project is $2,000,000.00 and legislation for the remaining $1,000,000.00 will be submitted at a later date.
The Devon’s Triangle neighborhood is a small residential neighborhood in northeast Columbus, defined by its triangular shape formed by rail lines, Fifth Avenue, and I-670. It is a growing residential community where Habitat is actively investing in high-quality, affordable homeownership opportunities by developing its first multi-family project.
The Devon’s Triangle project will consist of four triplexes and one duplex for a total of fourteen individual units. The triplex model will consist of 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, ranging from 1,280 and 1,408 square feet. The duplex (Anna) model will consist of 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, ranging from 1,292 and 1,296 square feet. Each unit will be built to City AWARE standards. The energy features will include high-efficiency HVAC systems, high performance insulation, and energy-efficient windows and doors, ensuring long-term savings and comfort for homeowners.
The multi-dwelling units in the Devon’s Triangle neighborhood will address the need for affordable housing in the City of Columbus for low-to-moderate income families that are at or below 120% of the Area Median Income limits set by HUD. This project will be an addition of decent, safe and sanitary housing in the northeast quadrant of the City of Columbus. The project will also be a landmark, introducing multi-dwelling affordable townhome units to the Devon’s Triangle neighborhood. The project creates greater opportunities for affordable buyers to become homebuyers, while the multi-dwelling unit design addresses housing supply and density challenges.
Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio (HFHMO) is an affordable housing developer building new homes for qualified low-income families. Their efforts are in response to the lack of affordable housing options available to first-time, low-income homebuyers in the Columbus metro area. Using their cost- and energy-efficient house plans, volunteer labor, corporate sponsors and local government development gap funds, they keep costs at a minimum. Qualifying homebuyers must live in substandard housing and can earn between 30-60% AMI and are households who have been qualified by HFHMO for a zero-interest, no profit mortgage to purchase the homes. The homebuyers are required to complete buyer and financial education and have contributed up to 250 hours sweat equity on their own home ,that of other Habitat partner families, classes and community service activities. Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio has been serving the community of Central Ohio since 1987. With the mission and vision to provide decent, safe and affordable housing to low-income families, Habitat has developed strong partnerships with local businesses, churches and individuals to achieve this goal.
The organization has a well-planned construction schedule that considers timing of public and private funding availability, volunteer labor, and subcontractor schedules. Habitat for Humanity offers a zero percent interest mortgage and provides up to 58% of the funding to each deal with the use of donor dollars, the mortgage payments of other Habitat homeowners and in-kind donations of materials.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $1,000,000.00 is available in 2025 Capital Improvement Budget, Affordable Housing Bond fund. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Budget is required to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 004859 and expires 01/27/2027.
Title
To amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds within the Affordable Housing Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio for development of a 14-unit affordable housing development in an amount up to $1,000,000.00 with a total commitment to the project of $2,000,000.00; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 from the Affordable Housing Bond Fund. ($1,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio’s Devon’s Triangle project will consist of four triplexes and one duplex for a total of fourteen individual units; and
WHEREAS, the multi-dwelling units in the Devon’s Triangle neighborhood will address the need for affordable housing in the City of Columbus for low-to-moderate income families that are at or below 120% of the Area Median Income limits set by HUD; and
WHEREAS, the units will be built to City AWARE standards, including high-efficiency HVAC systems, high performance insulation, and energy-efficient windows and doors, ensuring long-term savings and comfort for homeowners; and
WHEREAS, Habitat for Humanity offers a zero percent interest mortgage and provides up to 58% of the funding to each deal with the use of donor dollars, the mortgage payments of other Habitat homeowners and in-kind donations of materials; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to establish sufficient authority for this project; and
WHEREAS, to authorize the transfer and expenditure within the Affordable Housing Bond Fund in an amount up to $1,000,000.00; and
WHEREAS, in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, the Director desires to enter into a grant agreement with Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio for development of a 14-unit affordable housing development; NOW,THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio for development of a 14-unit affordable housing development in an amount up to $1,000,000.00 with a total commitment to the project of $2,000,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7779 / P782050-100017/ Lofts on Long (Voted Carryover) /$3,740,000.00/($1,000,000.00)/$2,740,000.00 7779 / P782050-100026 / Devon’s Triangle (Voted Carryover) /$0.00/ $1,000,000.00/ $1,000,000.00
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $1,000,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7779 (Affordable Housing Bond fund), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,000,000.00, or so much, thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 7779 (Affordable Housing Bond fund), Project P782050-100026, Dept. 44-10 (Housing), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.