Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of up to $110,000.00 of the 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to authorize the expenditure of up to $15,000.00 of general fund dollars, and to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a subrecipient
agreement with Homes on the Hill CDC to provide housing counseling services in an amount up to $125,000.00.
The department notified HUD certified housing counseling organizations of a request for proposal/notice of financial award to provide Housing Counseling Services. The RFP/NOFA was open from 4/27/2022-5/18/2022. One proposal was received and the Evaluation Committee determined the offeror was able to perform the work.
HUD certified housing counseling agencies provide housing counseling services to Columbus area individuals, families, or groups who are tenants, homeowners, homeless, or homebuyers in need of such services. The City is aware of the high number of homeowners who are struggling to pay their current mortgages and are in danger of being in foreclosure and tenants who have lost income and are in danger of being evicted. To address this, the City is making available funds to be directed for the use of housing counseling services.
Eligible housing counseling activities can include: pre-purchase, post-purchase, homeownership, rental, emergency, default/mortgage delinquency, homeless, and reverse mortgage counseling for senior homeowners.
The department anticipates modifying this agreement for the remainder of the city’s Action Plan with HUD. Based upon mutual agreement, the department would submit legislation to modify the agreement to add additional funds for program years 2023 and 2024.
This legislation represents appropriation for a part of the CDBG portion of the 2021 Action Plan, per Ordinance 2345-2020.
Emergency action is requested to allow f...
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