Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $500,000.00 and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into grant agreement with the Young Men's Christian Association of Central Ohio (YMCA) in an amount up to $500,000.00.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds to the City of Columbus as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136. These special CDBG funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) among low and moderate income individuals and families and to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
The YMCA serves as a stable, affordable housing option for 403 men. 280 units are a part of the Community Shelter Board system or serve as housing for Alvis House clients. Of the total 403 units, 123 units at 40 West Long have their operational costs covered by the revenue that is generated from YMCA memberships and rental fees. Due to the COVID19 outbreak and ensuing stay-at- home order issued by Governor DeWine, there has been a precipitous drop in revenue for the YMCA, with conservative estimates reflecting a decrease of approximately $23 Million dollars. With this loss of revenue, the YMCA is faced with the decision of continuing operations, or putting 123 men back out on the street. Because of this unprecedented scenario, the YMCA is in need of one-time financial support from the City of Columbus for the men whose rents are not supported by the Community Shelter Board or Alvis House.
Use of funds will be for the purpose of providing operating support to the units where tenants have lost their jobs due to the COVID19 crisis and do not currently receive any other source of subsidy.
Emergency legislation is needed in order to continue implementation of efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on behalf of low and moderate income persons.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this agreement in the amount of $500,000.00 is supported by the anticipated 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) awarded to the City of Columbus by HUD.
Title
To authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $500,000.00 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Young Men's Christian Association of Central Ohio in an amount up to $500,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is a participating jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City is a current recipient of Community Development Block Grant funds from HUD; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated the amount of $4,388,525.00, as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, these special CDBG funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) among individuals and families who are of low and moderate income households; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Young Men's Christian Association of Central Ohio in an amount up to $500,000.00; 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 a grant agreement with YMCA of Central Ohio in order to continue implementation of efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on behalf of low and moderate income persons, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now therefore;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies in Fund 2248 (CDBG) and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the grant period, the sum of $500,000.00 is appropriated upon receipt of Notice of Award in Fund 2248 (CDBG), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized in Fund 2248 (CDBG), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), in Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Young Men's Christian Association of Central Ohio in an amount up to $500,000.00 for the purpose of providing operating support to the units where tenants have lost their jobs due to the COVID19 crisis and do not currently receive any other source of subsidy.
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.