Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $117,000.00 from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to the Department of Development and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB), a non-profit organization, for the Outreach Program. The contract will provide $117,000 from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund for the purpose of continuing and enhancing the work of the Community Shelter Board with regard to reaching out to individuals who are living on the streets. CSB will subcontract with Maryhaven to oversee the Maryhaven Collaborative Outreach Team (MCOT) which serves 250 people annually at a total cost of $227,000. MCOT provides assertive outreach at sites where homeless persons congregate, pro-active engagement, referral to medical and behavioral healthcare and linkage to shelter and housing. Additionally, the Community Shelter Board offers access to benefits and rental assistance as well as support and assistance during city and county-led camp remediation. Statistics show that without the programming provided by the MCOT there are more encampments and increased street homelessness with a net result of increased criminal activity and increased hospitalization, medical treatment, incarceration and police intervention - all costly resources.
The Community Shelter Board has also requested $75,000 from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and the remainder of the funding gap has been requested from United Way of Central Ohio.
Emergency action is requested so that the Community Shelter Board and Maryhaven can continue to provide these services without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are available in the Public Safety Initiatives Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board for the purpose of continuing the Outreach Program which includes asse...
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