Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter a not-for-profit service contract with the Tony R Wells Foundation in an amount up to $765,662.00 to provide relocation support and rental assistance for the residents of the Latitude Five25 apartment complex.
On Dec. 25, 2022, Latitude Five25 - an apartment complex located at 525 Sawyer Blvd., Columbus, Ohio was declared unsafe due to burst pipes and resulting flooding. As a result 150 households in the apartment complex had to be immediately vacated.
With assistance from the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus and the Central Ohio Transit Authority, an emergency shelter was established at the Dodge Recreation Center to serve the tenants. Given the extensive damage and long standing need for complex wide repairs a longer term relocation option for residents is necessary.
The Community Shelter Board mobilized to provide temporary housing in motels for over 140 individuals- coordinating accommodations, meals, and linkage to on-site county agencies.
Recognizing the extensive damage to the complex as well as the ongoing litigation to hold the property owners accountable the City of Columbus in partnership with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners are providing resources to support the engagement of a relocation specialist to work with tenants to identify new housing options.
Additionally, funding will be utilized to provide rental assistance to cover the difference between their rental rate at Latitude Five25 and the amount at the new location if it is higher. This assistance will be provided for a period of up to six months. Security deposits, relocation assistance including moving, packing and storage, utility arrearages and other basic assistance needs are all eligible uses.
We are contracting with the Wells Foundation to retain a relocation specialist who will identify available units and work with displaced residents to be successfully relocated. These ser...
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