Explanation
It is anticipated that there will be 75,000 individuals nationwide who are in need of assistance. Columbus is currently committed to assisting approximately 350 people. Finding housing will be the primary challenge. We, like many other cities throughout the country, will need to do our part to provide relief to address the extraordinary, unique humanitarian crisis, and this is why City Council is establishing the Afghan Neighbors Rental Assistance Fund. (ANRAF).
Our city will be playing a vital role in providing shelter to Afghan evacuees who have come to the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome. As of September 30, 2021, Columbus has started to welcome Afghan nationals who have completed extensive background checks and processing at the military bases as part of the Afghan Placement Assistance Program (APA), a newly established program by the U.S. Department of State.
Columbus City Council will support the establishment of the Afghan Neighbors Rental Assistance Fund program with $50,000.00. The funding will be divided equally between Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) and US Together. The funding is intended to support housing costs only, i.e. rent expenses. The funding will be limited to one-time assistance per family in an amount up to the lesser of 6 months’ rent or $5,000 in total, and beneficiaries will need to demonstrate need based upon unemployment, underemployment, or other financial hardship. As the program continues, we will continue to assess funding needs and adjust accordingly.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that Community Refugee & Immigration Services and US Together can immediately begin providing rental assistance.
Fiscal Impact: Total appropriation is $50,000.00 and is available in the Neighborhood Initiative subfund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into grant agreements with Community Refugee & Immigration Services and with US Together in support of the Afghan Neighbors Rental Assistance Fund; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that there will be 75,000 Afghan refugees nationwide who are in need of assistance. Columbus is currently committed to assisting approximately 350 people. Finding housing will be the primary challenge; and,
WHEREAS, the Afghan Neighbors Rental Assistance Fund will support approximately 350 Afghan refugees with housing assistance; 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 grant agreements with Community Refugee & Immigration Services and US Together in support of the Afghan Neighbors Rental Assistance Fund in order to immediately begin providing rental assistance, for the public health, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into grant agreements with Community Refugee & Immigration Services and US Together in support of the Afghan Neighbors Rental Assistance Fund.
SECTION 2: That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 to the Department of Development within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, in Services-03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: That with regard to the action authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.