Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Education to enter into a grant agreement with Star House to assist them in meeting the unique needs of homeless and housing-insecure high school and college-age youth. Star House is a non-profit corporation.
Founded in 2006, Star House operates the nation’s only 24/7 drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness that hosts continuous best-practice research and is the only housing village of its kind in central Ohio for college-age youth who are exiting homelessness. At central Ohio's only drop-in center, young people experiencing homelessness, ages 14-24, are provided with immediate access to safety, basic needs, and access to crucial, stabilizing resources.
Therefore, the Office of Education requests the authority to enter into a grant agreement with Star House so that they will support the wages of the Youth Advocates at the Star House Drop-In Center, a significant expense for a 24-hour per-day operation. This funding will make a meaningful impact in helping a large number of Columbus teens and young adults complete their education, escape homelessness, and become stable enough to thrive.
The needed services cannot be provided by existing city employees as the city has neither the knowledge or expertise in this area.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this grant agreement is available within the 2025 Mayor’s Office of Education General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Education to enter into a grant agreement with Star House, to assist them in meeting the unique needs of homeless and housing-insecure high school and college-age youth; to authorize the transfer of $75,000.00 within the Department of Education General Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $75,000.00 from the general fund. ($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Star House operates the nation’s only 24/7 drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness that hosts continuous best-practice research and...
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