Explanation
This legislation authorizes an appropriation to the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) in continued support of the organization’s senior housing stabilization efforts.
In October 2019, ordinance 2630-2019 was approved by Columbus City Council which provided funding to COAAA to establish the Housing Assistance Program (HAP). In December 2020, ordinance 2875-2020 modified the appropriation by adding an additional $75,000. The program includes preventative efforts to reduce eviction, displacement, and homelessness for Columbus' older adults. The focus is diversion, which is keeping older adults out of the shelter, as well as prevention, to keep from reaching a housing crisis. The funding supports preventive measures for homelessness for Columbus residents 50 and older. The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) has staff working daily on supporting older adults through housing crises. With staffing already in place, these funds address needs such as a missed rent or mortgage, rent or utility deposit, housing violation moving expenses, or other hardships related to maintaining safe housing that can lead to displacement.
Fiscal Impact: Total appropriation of $75,000 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize an appropriation of $75,000.00 to the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging for the continued support of the Housing Assistance Program; and to authorize an appropriation and transfer within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund and to declare an emergency.
($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council desires to continue to support the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Housing Assistance Program (HAP) by appropriating $75,000.00 in additional funding and allowing changes in services based on need; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance allows COAAA to continue providing resources necessary for senior housing stabilization efforts; NOW, THEREFORE and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation in the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to pass this ordinance to make appropriated funds immediately available to continue the aforementioned programming to serve older adults without interruption for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health and safety; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $75,000 to the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging to allow for changes in services based on need in support of senior housing stabilization efforts.
SECTION 2: That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $75,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, and transfer to the COAAA grant fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Director of COAA and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except upon voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4: 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 legislation.
SECTION 5: That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
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 passage and approval by the Mayor or 10 days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.