Explanation
BACKGROUND: In late 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) reinvented its Emergency Shelter Grant program. The new Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) expands the original purpose of preventing homelessness and providing emergency shelter to include and encourage initiatives of rapid re-housing and stabilization for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Additionally the grant can now also be used to support the community's Homeless Management Information System to guarantee that the community's plan to end homelessness is based on the most applicable and current homeless data available.
In early 2012, HUD released a second allocation of FY2011 ESG funds to qualifying jurisdictions. The City of Columbus was awarded $159,208 from HUD. This funding requires the City of Columbus to submit to HUD an ESG application and make a substantial amendment to the City's Consolidated Plan 2011 Action Plan. On April 7, 2012, the City began a 30 day public comment period. Citizens, public agencies and other interested parties had opportunity to make public comments to the city on the ESG application through May 6, 2012. HUD requires that the City submit an ESG application no later than May 15, 2011. This legislation authorizes the City to submit an ESG application to HUD and to make a substantial amendment to the City's Consolidated Plan's 2011 Action Plan.
This legislation also authorizes the appropriation from the General Government Grant Fund of ESG funds in the amount of $159,208 for the provision of homeless services and to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board, Inc. (CSB) (Contract Compliance Number 31-1181284) for the administration of the City's ESG monies. Funds will be used to meet the housing needs identified in the Consolidated Plan submitted to HUD.
The contract will provide $159,208 from the ESG for the purpose of effectively and efficiently enabling our community to help individuals and familie...
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