Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with LifeCare Alliance in support of food distribution operations. This funding support is necessary due to the continued threatened cessation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and gaps in that funding.
The Department of Finance and Management receives annual entitlement funding awards for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of CDBG funds is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low-and moderate-income persons. The delivery of emergency food support operations is an eligible CDBG public service to improve the quality of life of low- to moderate-income residents.
According to the American Community Survey’s 2023 5-year estimates, more than 34,000 families in Columbus receive SNAP benefits; approximately 12.8% of all households. These benefits are crucial to preventing hunger and supporting food security among the City’s residents. For many of these households, SNAP benefits constitute the primary or sole means by which they can afford to purchase food. The suspension of SNAP benefits will have immediate and severe consequences for Columbus and its residents. When those benefits are suspended, the burden of meeting basic nutritional needs falls to local government and nonprofit service providers that already operate at capacity. While the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has indicated they will begin issuing SNAP benefits as early as November 19th, federal guidance has reduced the amount families will receive to 65% or less than their normal benefit. Due to the delay in payment distribution and reduced payment amounts the City is requesting emergency funding to be able to serve the community during this time.
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