Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure in an amount up to $375,000.00 of grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) and authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a Subrecipient For Profit Service Contract with Nelson Park Preservation Associates, LLC for the purpose of providing supportive services for the residents of the Nelson Park Apartments . That expenditures prior to the issuance of the purchase order are authorized beginning May 1, 2026 to the date of the purchase order for this supportive services contract which include but are not limited to case management, life skills, mental health, substance abuse and transportation services.
Columbus City Council authorized and approved Ordinance 1156-2025 on May 14, 2025, to provide funding in support of the Nelson Park Apartments acquisition and rehabilitation of the existing 177-unit affordable housing development in the Eastgate neighborhood on the near east side of the City of Columbus. The property was originally constructed in 1958 and has been identified by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service (NPS) as a historically significant asset as it was one of the first housing developments in the United States that was developed using financial assistance from the Section 221 program and has been listed on the National Historic Register. The property has not received substantial rehabilitation since 1980 when it was brought into HUD’s Section 8 sub-rehab program. The project currently includes 47 residential buildings with one, two, and three-bedroom townhomes serving both families and seniors, which are covered 100% by a HUD Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract. Preservation of this community is critically important as rents and home values continue to increase all the while affordability continues to decline. As part of the redevelopment plan the overall footprint and population of the property will be reduced from 47 residential buildings to 42 residential buildings and the units will decrease from 177 to 140 units. Post-rehab there will be 14 elderly buildings with four (4) 1-BR units in each and 28 family buildings with two (2) 2-BR units and one (1) 3-BR units in each.
The condensing of the property will allow the property to be more easily managed, maintained, and allow the residents to access a new community building, management office, and other amenities that will be provided. New lighting and enhanced security systems, along with a reduction in the number of curb cuts and ingress/egress points on the property will further improve the safety and security of the residents and surrounding area. This property currently serves many extremely low-income households that include families and seniors but as part of the redevelopment plan the property will also serve homeless and formerly homeless individuals referred by the Community Shelter Board (CSB).
This ordinance is to provide funding for the supportive services that this vulnerable population needs. Those eligible under the HUD and the State of Ohio’s Permanent Supportive Housing Policy will receive services that include but are not limited to case management, life skills, mental health, substance abuse and transportation services. City employees do not have the capability of providing these services.
This legislation represents appropriation for a part of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan portion of the City’s 2021 HUD Annual Action Plan which was amended, per Ordinance 0459-2023.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is needed as leasing begins May 1, 2026 and the supportive services components are a critical component to newly housed homeless individuals and families.
Contract Compliance: the vendor number is 051189 and expires on 12/09/2026
Fiscal Impact: $375,000.00 is available from and within the HOME-ARP grant (G442101).
Title
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure in an amount up to $375,000.00 of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME-ARP) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Subrecipient For Profit Service Contract with Nelson Park Preservation Associates, LLC in an amount up to $375,000.00 to provide supportive services for residents that are deemed eligible under the HOME-ARP guidelines at Nelson Park Apartments; and authorizes the expenditures prior to the purchase order beginning May 1, 2026; and declare an emergency. ($375,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is a participating jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is the recipient of a one-time grant of $16,433,138.00 from the U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD) through the American Rescue Plan Act and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME-ARP) ; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for supportive services at Nelson Park Apartments for those individuals that qualify for these services based on HUD’s definition of chronic homelessness.
WHEREAS, the appropriation and expenditure in an amount up to $375,000.00 is necessary to provide supportive services and authorize the payment of expenditures prior to the issuance of the purchase order beginning May 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a Subrecipient For Profit Service contract with Nelson Park Preservation Associates, LLC to provide the supportive services that will assist this very vulnerable population utilizing HOME-ARP funding 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, the sum of $375,000.00 is appropriated within Fund 2201 (HOME-ARP), from Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), G442101 (HOME-ARP), object class 03 (Professional Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $375,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2201 (HOME-ARP), Dept-Div 4410 (Housing), G442101 (HOME-ARP), object class 03 (Professional Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a Subrecipient For Profit Service Contract with Nelson Park Preservation Associates, LLC to provide supportive services for the eligible residents of Nelson Park Apartments in an amount up to $375,000.00.
SECTION 4. That expenditures prior to the issuance of the purchase order are authorized beginning May 1, 2026.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 8. 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.