Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Executive Director of CelebrateOne on behalf of the Office of the Mayor to enter into a contract with Physicians CareConnection to support StepOne for a Healthy Pregnancy, and authorizes funding in the amount of $550,000.00 from the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, which was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and is administered by the U.S. Treasury.
The ERA program provides direct financial assistance to eligible households for expenses including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and other expenses related to housing. Additionally, funds are available for housing stability services, including case management and other services intended to keep households stably housed, and administrative costs.
StepOne connects women with affordable, timely and convenient prenatal care and resources for healthy pregnancy, including rental and utility assistance. Funds will be used to help eligible families served by Physicians CareConnection cover the costs of rent, utilities, and other housing-related expenses approved by the U.S. Treasury, both in arrears and to be incurred. $500,000.00 will be used to provide direct assistance to approximately 325 families with an average of $1,538 per family for rental assistance. $50,000.00 will be used for staff support and hires for administration support.
Emergency action is requested to allow program services to be provided for this much needed assistance at the earliest time available.
Fiscal Impact: $550,000.00 of funding will be provided from the Emergency Rental Assistance Fund, Fund 2208, which was established by Ordinance 0284-2021 and funded by the U.S. Treasury.
Title
To authorize the Executive Director of CelebrateOne on behalf of the Office of the Mayor to enter into a contract with Physicians CareConnection; to authorize the expenditure of up to $550,000.00 of the Emergency Rental Assistance Fund to provide rental, utility, and other housing-related assistance to eligible families experiencing housing instability, which has been shown to impact maternal and child health outcomes; and to declare an emergency. ($550,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of the Mayor, CelebrateOne desires to enter into a contract with Physicians CareConnection to connect women with resources for a healthy pregnancy, including rental and utility assistance; and
WHEREAS, this assistance has been shown to impact maternal and child health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the resources are to assist families who are in need of housing assistance due to the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the City is the recipient of Emergency Rental Assistance Federal Funds from the U.S. Treasury Department; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to spend the funding from the Emergency Rental Assistance program before the deadline of December 31, 2021; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of the Mayor in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract and expend funds from the Emergency Rental Assistance program prior to the deadline of December 31, 2021 to be in compliance requirements established by the U.S. Treasury, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Executive Director of CelebrateOne, on behalf of the Office of the Mayor, is authorized to enter into contract with Physicians CareConnection in the sum of $550,000.00 from the Emergency Rental Assistance Fund, to provide rental, utility, and other housing-related assistance to eligible households.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $550,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2208, Dept-Div 40-01, Subfund 220801, Object Class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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.