Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes up to $1,000,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund to the Department of Development, Housing Division for targeted distribution through the Hilltop Home Repair Program. The funds will be used to provide financial assistance to eligible homeowners for necessary and prioritized home improvements in a targeted area within the Hilltop neighborhood.
On June 17, 2013 Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 1286-2013 authorizing the creation of the Hilltop Home Repair Program. This ordinance represents City Council's continued commitment to the Hilltop Home Repair Program to serve the housing needs of the Hilltop neighborhood. Eligible participants are those homeowners who live within the boundaries described in Exhibit A as determined by the Department of Development.
The staffing costs associated with this housing program are initially expensed to the General Fund or other funds, however, project related activities are able to be expensed using capital funds. Time spent on capital-related projects are tracked and expensed accordingly to the appropriate capital fund. The process is consistent with the City of Columbus procedure to reimburse the General Fund or other funds for the portion of the staff time attributable to capital projects.
The Department of Development Housing Division will partner with Homes on the Hill CDC (HOTH), a non-profit community development corporation dedicated to creating a community that welcomes and cares for all people. Located in Columbus Ohio, HOTH works to improve the economic and social quality of life for residents of the Westside. HOTH will work with the Housing Division to market the program, identify potential grant recipients and coordinate the application process with the applicants. The Hilltop Home Repair Program assists homeowners with necessary and prioritized home repairs while facilitating pride and responsible ownership within the following targeted area (identified in Exhibit A).
Emergency action is necessary to allow the Housing Division to continue providing services under the Hilltop Home Repair Program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: This expenditure is budgeted within the Housing Preservation Fund and is contingent on the 2014 bond sale.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Homes on the Hill CDC, a not-for-profit organization, for services related to the Hilltop Home Repair Program; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to make financial assistance available through the Hilltop Home Repair Program administered by the Housing Division; to authorize the expenditure of up to $956,875.00 from the Housing Preservation Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $43,125.00 from the Housing Preservation Fund to reimburse the General Fund or other funds for personnel expenses incurred; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes up to $1,000,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund to the Department of Development, Housing Division for targeted distribution through the Hilltop Home Repair Program; and
WHEREAS, Homes on the Hill CDC, an Ohio Non-Profit Corporation is transforming the Westside through pride and responsible ownership; and will assist the Division of Housing with the marketing and identification of eligible homeowners who live within the defined boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the funds will be used to provide financial assistance to eligible homeowners for necessary and prioritized home improvements in a targeted area within the Hilltop neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the Hilltop Home Repair Program represents City Council's commitment to serving the housing needs of the Hilltop neighborhood. Eligible participants are those homeowners who reside within the program service boundaries as described in the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Division employs personnel engaged in capital improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, these expenses are initially expensed in the General Fund or other funds; and
WHEREAS, capital funds can reimburse these funds for capital related projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize this expenditure in order to provide adequate operating resources; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to allow the immediate implementation of the Hilltop Home Repair Program to avoid causing delays in the availability of these important services; thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; 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 to enter into a contract with Homes on the Hill CDC, an Ohio Non-Profit Corporation, to implement a portion of the Property Renovation Fund and work with in collaboration with the Housing Division to make financial assistance available through the Hilltop Home Repair Program administered by the Housing Division. For the purposes of this Section, eligible homeowners are those who live in a targeted area within the Hilltop neighborhood (identified in Exhibit A).
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $956,875.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from Division 44-10, Fund 782, Housing Preservation Fund, Project/Detail 782001-100008, OCA 782008, Object Level One 06 as follows:
Object Level Three / Amount
6616 / $6,000.00
6617 / $950,875.00
SECTION 3. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to expend $43,125.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to reimburse the General Fund or other funds for personnel expenses incurred with the Capital Improvement Program.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $43,125.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized as follows:
Division: 44-10
Fund: 782
Project/Detail: 782001-100008
OCA: 782008
Object Level 1: 06
Object Level 3: 6621
Amount: $43,125.00
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of capital improvement budget funds from this authorization must be used to provide home repair services to correct substandard and deteriorating conditions of houses where the homeowner meets the requirements of Section 1 of the Ordinance; the Department of Development, Housing Division shall establish income limits for applicants within the program guidelines of the Hilltop Home Repair Program and financial assistance under this program shall not exceed $25,000 per homeowner.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 administrating said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 9. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.