Explanation
Residents must possess personal identification documents such as birth certificates, state identification cards, driver’s licenses, and social security cards in order to be able to access the basic necessities of life. When residents lack these forms of identification and cannot afford to replace them, it jeopardizes their access to employment, housing, banking, and education - even the ballot box.
Vulnerable populations such as seniors, domestic violence survivors, and those who are homeless, returning from incarceration, or living in poverty are among the most likely to lack identification documents and also the least likely to be able to afford replacements. That is, residents’ financial constraints prevent them from obtaining documents that are themselves necessary for access to economic security.
The South Side ID Project was created to help Columbus residents access birth certificates and state identification cards at no cost. Few resources exist in the community to help residents bear the cost of replacing identification documents, especially families. South Side ID Project estimates that 75% of those whom it has helped are women seeking birth certificates for their children and grandchildren for school enrollment. South Side ID will be able to serve hundreds of additional residents with this funding.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to more rapidly provide resources for the delivery of program services.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with Community Development for All People for its South Side ID Project; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($8,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, possession of personal identification documents impact residents’ quality of life and improve their ability to be productive members of the community; and
WHER...
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