Explanation
This ordinance authorizes an appropriation to the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) in support of the organization’s senior housing stabilization efforts.
Earlier this year and in response to concerns shared by older adults in our community with regard to aging-in-place, Columbus City Council provided funding to COAAA to establish the Housing Assistance Program (HAP). The program includes preventative efforts to reduce eviction, displacement, and homelessness for Columbus older adults. The focus is diversion, which is keeping older adults out of the shelter, as well as prevention, to keep from reaching a housing crisis. The funding supports preventive measures for homelessness for Columbus residents 50 and older. The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) has staff working daily on supporting older adults through housing crises. With staffing already in place, these funds address needs such as a missed rent or mortgage, rent or utility deposit, housing violation moving expenses, or other hardships related to maintaining safe housing that can lead to displacement. The experts working with these older adults utilize the funds only as needed, pairing it with other resources and supports in the community. An assessment determines that one-time assistance, limited to $600.00, stabilizes the housing situation.
As a result of high demand, and being demonstrative of the need to address these issues for senior residents, COAAA has exhausted the initial startup funds. Columbus City Council is providing supplemental funding in the amount of $50,000.00 to sustain the program.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide COAAA with the resources necessary to continue senior housing stabilization efforts.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize an appropriation to the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging for continued support of the Housing Assistanc...
Click here for full text