Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $200,000 in 2003 CDBG funds in order to further fund and expand the Emergency Repair Homeowners Program. Assistance is offered to low income persons, with annual incomes of less than or equal to 80% of the area median income, who own and occupy eligible residences in the city of Columbus. The program is necessary to protect the health and safety and improve the living standards of the residents of Columbus.
Assistance will be offered to low income persons who own and occupy eligible residences in the form of loans and grants. Work eligible under the program includes items necessary to correct substandard, unsanitary, or deteriorated conditions that have been identified by a Columbus Code Enforcement Officer or Housing Division Manager as creating an imminent danger to the health and safety of the resident. Traditionally, repairs are made to mechanical systems: electrical, heating, and plumbing. Due to this winter's storms critical emergency repairs to foundation walls, porches and roofs also need to be addressed. An estimated 30 households will benefit from this program.
Emergency action is requested so that funds are available immediately. Emergency requests continue to be received by this program due to the winter weather.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this program are available as a result of a partial cancellation of auditor's certificate Number AC020301/003.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $200,000 from the unappropriated balance of the FY 2003 CDBG Program to the Department of Development; to authorize the expenditure of $200,000 from the FY 2003 CDBG Program for the purpose of making loans and grants under the Emergency Repair Homeowner Grants Program; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development, Housing Division desires to use funds from the FY 2003 CDBG Program to administer an Emergency Repair Homeowner Program; and
WHEREAS, these monies will be used to provide loans and grants to assist with emergency repairs of low income households; and
WHEREAS, an Emergency Repair Homeowner Program is necessary to protect the health and safety, and improve the living standards of the residents of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, assistance will be offered to low and moderate income persons whose income is at or below 80% of the are median income and own and occupy eligible residences in the form of a loan or grant; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate and expend said funds so that said funds for program grants are available immediately, 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 in the fund known as the CDBG Fund, the sum of $200,000.00 be and is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Department No. 44-10, Fund No. 248, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5517, OCA Code 441121.
Section 2. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order 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 3. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to make loans and grants to eligible residents under the Emergency Repair Homeowner Program administered by the Housing Division to correct substandard, unsanitary, or deteriorated conditions that have been identified by a Columbus Code Enforcement Officer or Housing Division Manager as creating an imminent danger to the health and safety of the resident.
Section 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Department of Development, Division 44-10, Fund 248, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5517, OCA Code 441121.
Section 5. 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.