Explanation
Experiencing an eviction can cause substantial harm to renters and landlords, including long-term financial and housing stability challenges for renter households. Research has found that mediation can have a positive impact on reducing the incidence and impact of eviction. Columbus Mediation Services of Central Ohio has provided families earning lower incomes in Franklin County with support to help them maintain stable housing by working with partners including the Franklin County Municipal Court, Legal Aid, and Franklin County Jobs and Family Services to reduce the rate of evictions in the County. The program's two strategies include providing tenants at imminent risk of eviction due to a pending eviction with access to specially trained mediators who help targeted tenants and their landlords resolve their eviction related conflict through a "pay and stay" or "voluntary tenant move out” agreement; and providing tenants at high risk of future eviction with a free Eviction Prevention Workshop that educates them about avoiding the 10 biggest tenant mistakes that often lead to eviction. Community Mediation Services anticipates they will serve 2,200 tenants, 1,765 tenants with a pending eviction, over the coming year.
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio in an amount up to $30,000.00 and authorizes an expenditure of up to $30,000 from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($30,000.00).
Emergency action is required because upfront funding is needed to ensure that the program can be effectively implemented without financial constraints for operations and supplies.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this grant agreement is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund ($30,000.00).
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 004914
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio in an amount up to $3...
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