Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) for the implementation of Bridge to Affordable Housing (B2AH). The contract will provide $150,000 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund for the purpose of serving families with dependent children who will most likely need Project Based Section 8 Housing to attain long-term housing stability. The CSB will subcontract with the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) to provide program services for B2AH. Many Columbus families are at risk of homelessness because they cannot sustain market-rate housing. Emergency assistance dollars are helpful, but are not a solution to long-term housing stability. Some of these families are evicted and living unstably with family or friends. Once a family has exhausted emergency assistance and/or support they are at risk of becoming homeless. The demand for emergency shelter has increased dramatically creating the need for community based solutions.
The B2AH Program would intervene with 50 of these families to offer a path to long-term housing stability. Referrals would come from the YWCA Family Center and Gladden Community House. Eligible families interested and eligible for Project Based Section 8 housing will receive support, education and resources to sustain them until they either move into a subsidized unit or have increased capacity to afford market rate housing whichever comes first. Families will be involved in the program for up to 12 months, participate in groups to increase their capacity to get and keep housing and have access to financial assistance, based on active participation, to subsidize an approved household budget.
Emergency action is requested so that the Community Shelter Board can implement these essential services as quickly as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are allocated from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board for the purpose of implementing the Bridge to Affordable Housing (B2AH) Program; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB); and
WHEREAS, the City supports the implementation of the Bridge to Affordable Housing (B2AH) for the purpose of serving families with dependent children who will most likely need Project Based Section 8 Housing to attain long-term housing stability; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is necessary to continue to provide these essential services to the homeless as quickly as possible, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) for the purpose of implementing the Bridge to Affordable Housing (B2AH) program.
Section 2. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended.
Section 3. That from the unappropriated monies in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, Fund 018, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources for the period ending December 31, 2014, the sum of $150,000.00 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Division 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440118.
Section 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $150,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, Fund 018, Department of Development, Division 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440118.
Section 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
Section 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.