Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the unplanned modification of a contract with the Gertrude Wood Community Foundation, the appropriation and expenditure of funds in an amount up to $10,401.00 of the 2023 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) entitlement grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development enter into a commitment letter, loan agreement, promissory note, mortgage, restrictive covenant, and authorizes the city to act as a lender for this project with the Gertrude Wood Community Foundation. The project is to develop and construct a single housing unit at 877 Miller Avenue that was recently purchased from the City of Columbus Land Bank.
Original Agreement $ 260,132.00 Ord. 0361-2024 PO439577
Modification No. 1 $ 10,401.00
Total $ 270,533.00
Ordinance 0361-2024, approved by City Council on March 6, 2024, authorized the Director of Development to support the development of the single housing unit at 877 Miller Avenue in an amount of up to $260,132.00. This legislation represents an additional amount up to $10,401.00 for a total amount up to $270,533.00. The need for the additional HOME funding is due to the post construction appraisal was valued higher than anticipated thus creating a larger affordability gap and the additional need of funding to close that gap.
The funding of this project will address the need for affordable housing in the City of Columbus for low-income families that are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income limits set by HUD. This project will add decent, safe and sanitary housing to the Driving Park Neighborhood, located on the Southside of Columbus. The increased availability of safe and stable housing in Columbus promotes the health and well-being of the neighborhood and the citizens living in the neighborhood.
We are funding this project with the Gertrude Wood Community Foundation, who is a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in partnership with the City of Columbus. Gertrude Wood Community Foundation will use 2023 HOME CHDO set-aside ($92,369.00) and HOME Entitlement ($178,164.00) funds to develop the 877 Miller Avenue project on land purchased from the Land Bank.
Gertrude Wood Community Foundation was founded in 2005 with the mission to empower the Driving Park area by bringing new housing opportunities to the neighborhood, as well as other supportive services that promote a safer and healthier neighborhood for the residents.
With the construction of a new, modular, single-family home at 877 Miller Avenue, the Gertrude Wood Community Foundation is investing in and providing affordable housing to the Driving Park neighborhood. The Unibuilt modular home will consist of three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, a basement and a parking pad, and will be built to City AWARE standards. The home will be sold to a first-time homebuyer earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income as defined by HUD.
This legislation represents appropriation for a part of the HOME portion of the 2023 Action Plan per ordinance 3353-2022.
Emergency Designation: An emergency exists as this gap in funding due to the appraisal prevents the closing on this house. The more time that this home sits vacant the possibility of vandalism increases and the future homeowner could face further financial hardships for not closing on the property timely.
Contract Compliance: the vendor number is 008062 and expires 6/23/2025.
Fiscal Impact: $260,132.00 is available from the 2023 HOME grant (G442202) using HOME CHDO Set-aside funds.
Title
To authorize the unplanned modification of the contract with Gertrude Wood Community Foundation; to authorize the additional appropriation and expenditure of up to $10,401.00 of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) entitlement 2023 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a commitment letter, loan agreement, promissory note, mortgage, restrictive covenant, and authorizes the city to act as a lender for this project with the Gertrude Wood Community Foundation to construct a single family home; and to declare emergency. ($10,401.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is a participating jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is the recipient of HOME Investment Partnerships funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus City Council has approved the 2023 Action Plan per ordinance 3353-2022 and approved the initial funding of this project via Ordinance 0361-2024; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to support the Gertrude Wood Community Foundation with financial support for a single family home at 877 Miller Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the post construction appraisal created a larger gap in affordability therefore additional funding was needed for this project in an amount up to $10,401.00 bringing the overall total for this project to be in an amount up to $270,533.00
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that this home is ready to close and the gap in funding is preventing this from happening. This gap was unforeseen due to the appraisal being much higher. The more time that this home sits vacant the possibility of vandalism increases and the future homeowner could face further financial hardships for not closing on the property. Thereby allowing this as an emergency prevents possible vandalism to the home and prevents any undue hardships on the future homeowner thereby preserving the public, health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. 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 $10,401.00 is appropriated within Fund 2201 (HOME), from Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), G442202 (2023 HOME grant), object class 05 (Other Expenses) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $10,401.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2201 (HOME), from Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), G442202 (2023 HOME grant), object class 05 (Other Expenses) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Development is hereby to execute a commitment letter and loan agreement and authorizes the city to act as a lender and have a promissory note, mortgage, and restrictive convent executed for this project with Gertrude Wood Community Foundation to construct a single family home at 877 Miller Avenue in a total amount for this project in an amount up to $270,533.00.
SECTION 4. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
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. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.