Explanation
Columbus is experiencing high rates of housing instability and homelessness. Housing instability is particularly challenging and impactful for youth aged 14 to 24, who are at high risk for victimization and experience substantial barriers to employment, health care, education, and more. Star House's drop-in center is the only place in Central Ohio where 14 to 24 year olds experiencing homelessness, and their children, can gain immediate access to safety and essentials like food, clothing, hygiene items, shower and laundry facilities, and other supports. Star House also offers on-site therapy and case management to support youth and connect them with opportunities like employment, education, health care, housing, and legal aid. In 2025, among youth who visited the drop-in center for 90 days or more: 71% secured critical IDs, 64% obtained jobs, 80% received health care, 80% participated in case management, and 56% obtained housing amidst the nationwide affordable housing crisis. Faced with unimaginable challenges but not defined by their circumstances, youth exit Star House’s programs as leaders, artists, advocates and contributing Columbus neighbors
House anticipates serving over 1,500 youth in the coming year, while also experiencing a drop in funding. This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Star House for their drop in center in an amount up to $50,025.00 and authorizes the appropriation of $47,525 from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($50,025.00). This ordinance allows for the purchase of food and beverage as part of this agreement. Council deems the distribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages to serve a public purpose in that it supports undeserved and vulnerable youth and encourages participation in Star House programming.
Emergency action is required to ensure the program can be effectively implemented without constraints to address ongoing housing need in Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this grant agreement is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund ($50,025.00).
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 008897 and expires 3/17/2027.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Star House for their drop in center in an amount up to $50,025.00; to authorize the appropriation of $47,525 and the expenditure in an amount up to $50,025.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($50,025.00); to authorize the expenditure of funds for the payment of reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; and to declare an emergency. ($50,025.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus faces a housing crisis, which is particularly harmful for youth; and
WHEREAS, Star House's Drop In Center is the only place in Central Ohio where youth 14 to 24 years of age experiencing homelessness can gain immediate access to safety and key essentials; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $47,525 and the expenditure in an amount up to $50,025.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this agreement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Star House to support resources for youth experiencing housing instability for the immediate preservation of public health and safety; 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 a grant agreement with Star House for their drop in center.
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $47,525 and the expenditure of $50,025.00, or so much thereof is hereby authorized, 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 the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a public purpose. Food and beverage costs are authorized in an amount not to exceed the per-person, per-meal costs under the applicable per diem by meal rate established by the Department of Finance and Management
SECTION 5. 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 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the 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.