Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation will allow the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Housing Development Agreement (HAD) with Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) for the Country Ridge affordable housing community, which will ultimately be funded with $2,000,000.00 from a future Capital Budget, Affordable Housing Bond. Once funds become available, an ordinance will be brought to Council to authorize a grant agreement.
Country Ridge is currently an affordable housing community consisting of (96) units with a (50) unit Project Based Voucher HAP Contract that is owned by Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. The development is located at 5656 Farmhouse Lane, Hilliard, Ohio 43026. The project consists of (48) two-bedroom units and (48) three-bedroom units and built in 1998.
Renovations to Country Ridge will include new kitchens and baths, flooring, appliances, HVAC, water heaters, window treatments, siding, windows and roofs.
All residents will have access to CMHA’s RISE Center. CMHA's RISE Center serves as a centralized hub that provides access to valuable community resources for CMHA residents. The RISE Center can help residents coordinate access to supportive services in the following four areas: Economic Empowerment, Educational Advancement, Health & Wellness, and Character & Leadership.
Some examples of available services include: Applying for emergency rental assistance, utility bill payment plans, and understanding your lease agreement. Signing up for health insurance, unemployment, and food assistance. Finding employment, housing, medical care, and educational opportunities. Managing health and well-being, including understanding illnesses and medications. Family planning, pregnancy care, and care for the entire family.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide evidence of city funding by the closing date anticipated for late October 2023. The City’s funding commitment is critical for the closing to proceed, as this is also a HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) project, and cannot wait 30 days after legislation passes.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is needed.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 006216 and expires September 8, 2025.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Housing Development Agreement (HDA) with Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) for the Country Ridge affordable housing community; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Development seeks to enter into a Housing Development Agreement (HDA) with Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA); and
WHEREAS, the HDA would memorialize the City’s desired commitment to the project, pending City Council approval and future availability of funds; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Development wishes to support this project by contributing $2,000,000.00 of bond funds upon availability, Affordable Housing Bond; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would authorize the Director of Development to first execute the HDA and pending the availability of funding from the Capital Budget, Affordable Housing Bond the department will seek City Council’s approval to enter into a grant agreement; 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 a Housing Development Agreement with Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority in order to provide evidence of city funding by the closing date anticipated for late October 2023; the City’s funding commitment is critical for the closing to proceed and cannot wait 30 days after legislation passes, all for the immediate preservation of 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 Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into the Housing Development Agreement (HDA) with Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) for the County Ridge affordable housing community as described herein .
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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.