Explanation
This legislation transfers funds from the Department of Finance and Management, Division of Financial Management, into the Mayor's Office to create a position of Homeless Advocacy. The position will serve as the City's point of contact on issues of homelessness. A primary role of the position will be to coordinate efforts in the public and private sectors to transition people from the streets to permanent housing, including addressing the critical issues of providing mental health and addiction services to the homeless, as well as job training and placement. The office will also continue developing an official protocol for cleaning up homeless camps. Numerous departments, including Public Safety and Public Service, currently work with the Community Shelter Board, Maryhaven, and other agencies to identify and eliminate homeless encampments.
City Council president Michael C. Mentel and Mayor Michael C. Coleman announced their intention to increase the City's focus on homeless issue this summer. The City has allocated over $3.7 million in 2007 to the Community Shelter Board for its efforts to address homelessness in Columbus along with a variety of community agencies working to create more affordable permanent housing.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are available in the Finance and Management citywide account to accommodate this position.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $20,000.00 within the general fund from the Finance and Management citywide account to the Mayor's Office to create a position of Homeless Advocacy and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has long been a significant funder of programs designed to reduce homelessness in Columbus, including its more than $3.7 million allocation in 2007 to the Community Shelter Board for its efforts, along with a variety of community agencies, working to create more affordable permanent housing for homeless persons and families; and
WHEREAS, in addition to that support, numerous City departments, including Public Safety and Public Service, currently work with the Community Shelter Board, Maryhaven, and other agencies to identify and eliminate homeless encampments that periodically arise across the City; and
WHEREAS, in spite of these efforts, the Community Shelter Board estimates that between 200 to 300 people are homeless in Columbus on a consistent basis; and
WHEREAS, this summer City Council president Michael C. Mentel and Mayor Michael C. Coleman announced their intention to increase the City's focus on homeless issues; and
WHEREAS, this legislation transfers funds from the Department of Finance and Management, citywide account, into the Mayor's Office to create a position of Homeless Advocacy to serve as the City's point of contact for the public and social service agencies on issues of homelessness, and
WHEREAS, a primary role of the office will be to coordinate City efforts for permanent housing for the city's homeless population and to continue developing an official protocol for cleaning up homeless camps; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus, and that it is immediately necessary to create a position of Homeless Advocacy within the City, 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 City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the sum of $20,000 within the general fund, Fund No. 010, from the Department of Finance and Management, Division of Financial Management, Department/Division No. 45-01, Object Level 1 - 10, Object Level 3 - 5501, OCA 904508, to the Mayor's Office, Department/Division No. 40-01, Object Level 1 - 01, OCA 400101.
Section 2. 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 day after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.