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 continued implementation of a single adult crisis response system. The contract will provide $1,562,750 from the general fund for the purpose of assisting homeless men and women to transition more efficiently and effectively from a place of homelessness to permanent housing and stability.
In addition to the single adult crisis response program ($1,270,750), two new initiatives are included in this year’s crisis response agreement. The first will provide assistance for Pregnant Women ($167,000). Our community is prioritizing pregnant homeless women to make sure they are never turned away from shelter due to lack of space or resources. In alignment with our community’s infant mortality reduction initiative, additional funding is needed to provide enhanced services including longer rental assistance, so that pregnant women are housed before they give birth. The program will serve the poorest homeless women and families in our community, earning less than 35% of the area median income. The second will provide assistance for non-VA eligible veterans ($125,000). Currently, veterans who are homeless are not able to access shelter and services immediately because all shelter beds are full every night and there are waiting lists. These new resources, combined with other matching funding, would allow CSB to provide shelter and navigator services to 167 more veterans each year.
Emergency action is requested so that the Community Shelter Board can implement these services without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are allocated from the FY2017 general fund budget.
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 crisis response system; to authorize the expenditure of $1,562,750.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,562,750.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) for the implementation of a single adult crisis response system, including two new initiatives, Assistance for Pregnant Women and Assistance to non-VA Eligible Veterans who are experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the city supports the implementation of the single adult crisis response system which will assist homeless men and women to transition more efficiently and effectively from a place of homelessness to permanent housing and stability; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with CSB to continue to provide these essential services to the homeless without interruption, 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 for the purpose of implementing the single adult crisis response system including two new initiatives, Assistance for Pregnant Women and Assistance to non-VA Eligible Veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,562,750.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 1000 general fund, in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to the process for awarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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.