Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $200,000.00 of the remaining 2015 HOME monies within the HOME Investment Partnerships Program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Community Housing Network for the Parsons Place project.
The City is a participating jurisdiction receiving federal funds under the HOME Investment Partnerships program (HOME) of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The regulations of the program provide that funds may be used to assist first time homebuyers, for-profit and non-profit organizations with grants and no or low interest loans for projects designed to increase and preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low and moderate income families.
Community Housing Network (CHN) was founded in 1987. Since that time, the organization has provided permanent supportive housing (PSH) for thousands of people challenged with mental health conditions, addiction disorders and histories of homelessness. PSH is housing with linkages to services that help residents successfully maintain housing and flourish in other areas of their lives. Support services include social enrichment activities, behavioral health care, primary care, employment training and benefit management. CHN was established by the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County to be its housing agency for people with long-term mental health conditions who are able to live independently in the community with supportive services. In 1998, CHN expanded its mission to provide affordable housing for people with disabilities related to addiction, including people who are or have been chronically homeless
The City works in conjunction with the Ohio Housing Finance Authority (OHFA) to support housing development projects. The City receives applications from developers for funding support and if the City supports the project, the City will provide a letter of support to OHFA. This project received support from both the City and OHFA.
The Parsons Place project will include 62 units of permanent, supportive housing at 350 E Barthman Ave., Columbus, OH 43207. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) will assist Community Housing Network fund the project.
Emergency legislation is in order to allow for needed funding to be provided and allow construction of the new housing to begin.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this agreement in the amount of $200,000.00 is supported by the remaining 2015 HOME monies within the HOME Investment Partnerships Program awarded to the City of Columbus by HUD.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s number is 311222236 and expires 4/2/21.
Title
To authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $200,000.00 of the 2015 HOME Investment Partnerships Program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Department of Development; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Community Housing Network for the Parsons Place project; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus expects to continue as a participating jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City is the recipient of HOME Investment Partnerships Program Grant funds from HUD; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus City Council has approved the 2019 Action Plan, per Ordinance 2776-2018, as required by HUD; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds from the unappropriated balance of the 2015 HOME Fund to the Department of Development; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contract the Community Housing Network; and
WHEREAS, these programs have effectively and efficiently enabled our community to fund projects designed to increase and preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low and moderate income families; 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 contract with Community Housing Network in order to allow for needed funding to be provided and allow construction of the new housing to begin, all for the preservation of 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, the sum of $200,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2201 (HOME Investment Partnerships Program), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), Project G458001, in Object Class 05 (Other Expenses) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the Community Housing Network for the Parsons Place project.
SECTION 3. That, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
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 the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized in Fund 2201 (HOME Investment Partnerships Program), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), in Object Class 05 (Other Expenses) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7 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.