Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Furniture Bank of Central Ohio (FBCO) for the provision of services for a twelve-month period. The total amount of this grant agreement is $10,000.00.
The legislation targets a social service program that falls into one or more of the City’s three priority areas including emergency and basic needs, employment and self-sufficiency, and social success for our residents and neighborhoods.
The mission of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio (FBCO) is to stabilize living situations for Central Ohio families and individuals struggling with poverty and other severe life challenges. The Furniture Bank collects and builds furniture and works with over seventy-five social service agencies and other nonprofits to distribute furniture to families in need. Through a new tiered service system that FBCO has implemented, agencies can choose the amount of furniture their families need ranging from five to twenty pieces.
Homelessness is the most frequently cited reason that families visit the Furniture Bank and represents nearly one fourth of all families served. Since 2010, FBCO has served more than 6,600 families who were previously homeless- including nearly 8,000 children. This $10,000 grant for the Furniture for Families Program will provide approximately 40 families (est. 120 individuals) with an average of 16 pieces of furniture the same day they select it at FBCO’s one-stop shop warehouse.
Emergency action is necessary to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for these expenditures is allocated from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund ($10,000.00).
Title
To approve the grant application of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio seeking financial assistance to address emergency human service needs pursuant to Columbus City Code; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $10,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to execute a grant agreement with Furniture Bank of Central Ohio to address and provide furniture for families previously experiencing homelessness; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Furniture Bank of Central Ohio has submitted a grant application seeking financial assistance; and
WHEREAS, City Council is authorized to allocate funds annually to assist social service agencies in the city with the operating costs of delivering programs; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a grant agreement with Furniture Bank of Central Ohio for the continued provision of social services; and
WHEREAS, Furniture Bank of Central Ohio will be funded with Neighborhood Initiatives funds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Furniture Bank of Central Ohio to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of vital program services, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $10,000 in the General Fund, Neighborhood Initiatives Sub fund, Fund 1000, Sub fund 100018, to the Department of Development in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to execute a grant agreement with the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio for the purpose of providing furniture for families experiencing homelessness.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $10,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized from the General Fund in Object Class 03, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.