Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a capital contribution agreement with Vista Village Inc. in support of the Vista Village housing development.
Vista Village Inc. is developing a community of 41 tiny homes, a 4,000 square foot community center for the on-site delivery of services to our program participants, a community garden and a 2-acre park to serve the holistic needs of people experiencing homelessness. They will serve men and women on the streets and in camps, young adults aging out of foster care, returning citizens from incarceration, veterans and those in substance recovery. In addition to being housed, the residents will be provided financial literacy, mental health counseling, primary healthcare, workforce development, skilled trades training, dental and pharmacy services and addiction recovery services to help individuals on their journey to employment and independence.
All services will be provided by their collaborative service partners including Columbus Works, Salvation Army, Buckeye Ranch, Kindway, OhioHealth, Southeast Healthcare, Chase and the skilled trades center of Columbus First Church of God.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that Vista Village Inc. can immediately be provided funding in order to develop their housing community that will provide shelter for our most vulnerable residents.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are available within the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a capital contribution agreement with Vista Village Inc. in an amount up to $500,000.00 in support of the organization’s proposed tiny home community; to authorize an expenditure within the Development bond fund; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, with housing costs continuing to rise, residents are unable to find stable supportive housing; and,
WHEREAS, low-income residents in the City of Columbus are in need of stable housing that will keep them out of the homeless shelters; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council is committed to the Vista Village housing development, which aims to provide safe housing for people at risk of homelessness; 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 to enter into a capital contribution agreement with the Vista Village Inc. in support of the organization's planned tiny home community which development will help provide shelter for the City's most vulnerable residents as quickly as possible all for the immediate preservation of 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 the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a capital contribution agreement with Vista Village Inc. in support of the organization’s planned tiny home community.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $500,000.00, or so much thereof as needed, 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 deemed appropriated, and are authorized for expenditure to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
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 ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this Ordinance.