Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into three (3) housing counseling not-for-profit service contracts with Homes on the Hill Community Development Corporation (Homes on the Hill CDC) / (HOTH), the Columbus Urban League (CUL), and Columbus Housing Partnership, dba Homeport (Homeport) for a combined total of $275,000.00 and to authorize payment of expenses prior to the issuance of the purchase order beginning January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
Homeport, HOTH, and CUL are non-profit organizations that provide U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development certified housing counseling services, including but not limited to, pre-purchase/post-purchase home buyer education, tenant counseling, troubled homeowner counseling, financial literacy, and foreclosure counseling.
Furthermore, the City’s Down Payment Assistance Program and Homeownership Development Programs, pre-purchase education is required. Housing Counseling is also helpful for households in financial distress so that homes and apartments are not lost.
The HUD certified housing counseling agencies have a long and successful track record of providing comprehensive housing counseling services to the community and are the largest provider in the community.
They provide services to Columbus area individuals, families, or groups who are tenants, homeowners, homeless, or homebuyers in need of such services.
The services included in this not-for-profit service contract cannot be provided by existing city employees as they are beyond the City’s current staffing capacity and the federal certification requirements.
HOTH $125,000.00
Homeport $125,000.00
Columbus Urban League $25,000.00
FISCAL IMPACT: $275,000.000 is available in the 2026 Housing Division’s General Fund budget.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE:
Homes on the Hill Community Development Corporation (Homes on the Hill CDC) contract compliance 005144 expires 8/1/2026.
Columbus...
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