Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Foundation in support of its BINS Youth Homelessness Storage pilot project.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the homelessness issues that Columbus is facing, including the challenges faced by homeless youths. In seeking to achieve economic stability through work - a concern that is even greater now given the rising unemployment associated with the COVID-19 pandemic - homeless youths often cite the anxiety stemming from having to balance work with keeping personal belongings safe while living in unstable environments.
The youth homelessness storage pilot project is designed to help homeless teens and young adults (ages 18-24) work with dignity on their path to stability. Providing a safe place to store personal belongings while working allows a youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to sustain work long enough to begin the process of moving toward stability. Expected outcomes are active usage of storage, change in work flexibility, ability to take advantage of time to meet basic needs without the burden of unsafely stored belongings.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the CARES Act fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to deploy the resources necessary without delay to initiate the BINS storage pilot.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Foundation in support of its BINS Youth Homelessness Storage pilot project; to authorize a transfer of appropriations within and an expenditure from the CARES Act Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($13,533.00) (AMENDED BY ORD. 2117-2020; PASSED 9/21/2020)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the homelessness issues that Columbus is facing, including the challenges faced by homeless youths; and
WHEREAS, homeless youths often cite the anxiety stemming from having to balance work with keeping personal belongings safe w...
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