Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with The Legal Aid Society of Columbus in support of the Eviction Prevention Program created by Councilmember Favor. The grant will provide funding for an additional Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) attorney to advocate on behalf of residents facing eviction.
On average, every day 75 tenant families receive eviction paperwork from Franklin County Municipal Court. About half of those go to their eviction hearings. This is about 9,000 tenant families each year. A single TAP attorney would expect to keep approximately 100 tenant families in their homes and out of the homeless shelter system each year. This ordinance authorizes the grant agreement, as well as the transfer, appropriation and expenditure of $50,000.00 within the Department of Development's General Fund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that The Legal Aid Society of Columbus can immediately begin providing additional legal counsel at eviction court on behalf of Columbus residents facing eviction.
Fiscal Impact: Total appropriation is $50,000.00 and is available in the Department of Development, Housing Division 2019 General Fund Budget.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus in support of the Eviction Prevention Program; to authorize a transfer of funds within the general fund; to authorize an expenditure in the Department of Development, Housing Division, and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, low-income residents in the City of Columbus are in need of legal services to assist them in eviction court; and,
WHEREAS, the Legal Aid Society of Columbus provides assistance in advocating on behalf of residents facing eviction; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council is committed to the Eviction Prevention Program, which aims to keep residents in their homes, and pro...
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