Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a not-for-profit service contract in an amount up to $44,000.00 with The Homeless Families Foundation for organizing temporary housing and essential services for participants of the department’s Displaced Tenant Services program.
When a structure is not fit for human habitation as deemed by the City of Columbus through departments such as Building and Zoning Services, the City must require the occupants to vacate the unit until it is brought into compliance. This disruptive displacement may harm the residents and have a cascading effect on their well-being, for example by disturbing employment or education transportation; destabilizing social connections; and significantly increasing stress.
Due to the current housing crisis, securing new housing quickly is also extremely difficult, especially for our most vulnerable residents who are more likely to receive a vacate order. These vacated residents often need immediate assistance to avoid homelessness, including emergency temporary housing, rental assistance, help locating housing, and other additional supports to promote stability.
The goal of Displaced Tenant Services is to mitigate the effects of disruptive displacement. This program provides relocation support to residents who are emergency vacated by the City of Columbus by:
• Offering reasonable and necessary temporary housing during the displacement, as needed
• Securing an alternative, permanent housing option OR the tenant returning to the original unit
• Providing all essential services to accomplish the above
The Homeless Families Foundation acts as the program’s Temporary Housing Coordinator, organizing temporary housing and essential services for tenants, while also providing housing focused case management services. HFF collaborates with the program’s Fiscal Manager, The Tony R. Wells Foundation, to pay for the hotels at the time of the em...
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