Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $524,719.00 to preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for low-income families. The Housing Preservation Fund represents the City's commitment to the preservation of housing units affordable to very-low, low and moderate-income individuals. Funds will be used to provide eligible homeowners with assistance for essential home repairs and/or home modifications through the Home Safe and Sound Program in order to preserve the housing stock and enable homeowners to remain in their homes.
Emergency action is requested to avoid interruptions in program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: $524,719.00 will be expended from the Housing Preservation Fund/Home Safe and Sound Program.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to make financial assistance available through the Home Safe and Sound Program administered by the Housing Division; to authorize the expenditure of $524,719.00 from the Housing Preservation Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($524,719.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Housing Preservation Fund to preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for low-income families; and
WHEREAS, these funds will provide eligible homeowners with assistance for essential home repairs and/or home modifications through the Home Safe and Sound and Home Modification Programs in order to preserve the housing stock and enable homeowners to remain in their homes; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to expend the aforementioned funds to avoid interruptions in the delivery of vital program services, 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 the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to make financial assistance available through the Home Safe and Sound Program administered by the Housing Division.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $524,719.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Housing Preservation Fund, Fund 7782, Object Class 03, Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies authorized in the foregoing shall be paid upon the order of the Director of the Department of Development and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. 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 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 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 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part thereof, 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.