Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of up to $1,250,000.00 of 2021 and 2022 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and to enter into a commitment letter, loan agreement, promissory note, mortgage, and restrictive covenant with Poplar Fen Place LLC for the Poplar Fen Place project.
Poplar Fen Place will be placed on a 6.4-acre site on Chatterton Road in southeast Columbus. The proposed three-story, elevator-served building is “L” shaped with an entrance off Chatterton Road and green space in the rear. Poplar Fen Place will share a driveway with Marsh Brook Place, a 40-unit PSH development for Transition Aged Youth, but the buildings will not be connected. Poplar Fen Place will provide forty-four (44) one-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing prioritized for individuals over the age of 55 who meet the State of Ohio’s Permanent Supportive Housing Policy Framework. Of the forty-four units, thirty-five (35) will prioritize individuals who meet the HUD definition of homelessness and the remaining nine (9) units will be targeted for use by individuals who have a severe mental health diagnosis.
Community Housing Network (CHN), the developer of Poplar Fen Place, has been providing affordable housing to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, addiction, and trauma related issues since 1987. CHN will utilize rent subsidies for all forty-four (44) units in the property, which will allow residents with incomes below 30% AMI to afford this housing. It is estimated that eight units will be supported by HOME funds.
CHN’s on-site staff will orient tenants to living in a supportive housing program; assist them with housing-related issues; and provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and daily assistance. In addition, residents will also be referred to other agencies for medical and dental needs, material nee...
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