Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO) to maintain services to the Bhutanese-Nepali refugee population in Columbus.
As a result of substantial changes to federal immigration policy and attributed funding, many refugee resettlement organizations have experienced dramatic reductions in operational support. Despite Central Ohio’s Bhutanese-Nepali refugee population increasing by nearly 400% in the last 8 years, the BCCO has lost approximately 90% of its federal funding with the non-renewal of its Office of Refugee Resettlement grant.
Despite these reductions in federal support, the needs of the growing immigrant populations have not diminished. The BCCO provides direct services via case management to nearly 2,000 refugees and their families, and annually impacts more than 5,000 individuals each year via many programs, trainings, and events. Council’s support will sustain BCCO’s operations while allowing the BCCO to focus on delivering the broader services and programs needed by the community, and on the strategic direction of the BCCO, including advocacy, building partnerships and increasing funding through philanthropy, grants and other revenue.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any risk of reduction or cessation of critical service provision by the BCCO to the Bhutanese-Nepali refugee population in Columbus.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($45,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio provides direct services via case management to nearly 2,000 refugees and their families annually impacts more than 5,000 individuals each year via many...
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