Explanation
Background
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize an appropriation and expenditure in support of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging’s Housing Assistance Program (HAP). This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to COAAA to support these efforts. COAAA does not have the up-front resources to support this portion of the program.
COAAA's Housing Assistance Program provides emergency assistance to older adults and individuals with disabilities who face unforeseen hardships that threaten their ability to maintain housing and utility services. Older adults are especially vulnerable to housing insecurity as it has an increased impact on their physical and cognitive health. Older adults access to housing is also limited by their fixed income and limited mobility.
COAAA is a member of the Central Ohio Stable Housing Network (COSHN) through the Department of Development. HAP supplements ERA funding as it focuses on older adults and people with disabilities. COAAA secures state and federal funds to support this program. However, these funds require a local contribution. City Council is providing assistance to meet this matching fund requirement. While the program supports older adults across the Central Ohio Region, all City of Columbus funds are reserved for Columbus residents.
In 2025, HAP assisted 394 older residents in maintaining their housing. The $100,000 granted by Columbus City Council supported emergency assistance for 76 residents: 48 were rent-burdened, and 28 were severely rent-burdened. Additionally, the Columbus City Council's foundational support enabled COAAA to leverage an additional $400,000 in State and Federal grant funds for emergency housing assistance in 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: $75,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested so that funding is not interrupted for emergency housing assistance for vulnerable older adults an...
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