Columbus City Council says it has $9.5 million to pay your rent
The Columbus City Council distributed another $9.5 million in federal rent and utility assistance to a local nonprofit group, part of a second round of $21.55 billion in relief passed by Congress last year.
"Even as the American economy continues its recovery from the devastating impact of the pandemic, millions of Americans face deep rental debt and fear evictions and the loss of basic housing security," the U.S. Treasury says on its website page for its "Emergency Rental Assistance Program." The second federal allocation brings to $46.55 billion in federal aid sent to states and local governments since COVID-19 struck in the spring of 2020.
Columbus' latest $9.5 million allocation will be distributed locally through the IMPACT Community Action Agency, bringing to $20 million the amount granted to the organization.
Franklin County has also provided more than $18.2 million in federal rental assistance through IMPACT, including a $10 million contribution made in addition to the city money.
The average amount of assistance awarded per household will be about $3,500.
"The collective power of partners like IMPACT have supported thousands of Columbus residents by keeping them in houses," Council Member Shayla Favor said.
IMPACT can redistribute the money to qualifying local residents who can receive up to 15 months of assistance meant to ensure housing stability.
"The funds will be used for emergency rental and utility assistance, supportive services, and targeted outreach to Columbus residents that had not yet had access to emergency rental assistance programs," the City Council said in a written statement Monday evening.
Economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 resulted in an eviction moratorium that was eventually lifted locally in the summer of 2021, leading local official to fear a wave of evictions. But the wave didn't materialize, which many social-service advocates attributed to the availability of rental assistance for both tenants and landlords.
"There are a plethora of resources that have definitely helped to avert a crisis situation," Bo Chilton, executive director of IMPACT Community Action, told The Dispatch last October.
In other city business Monday, Council received an update on the status on a controversial homeless camp on the Near East Side known as Camp Shameless, which the city has been trying to shut down for several weeks.
As part of an agreement, twelve people staying at the camp agreed to be relocated Monday to a hotel on the city's Far East Side as part of a $256,000 transitional housing pilot program funded by the city and managed by the Community Shelter Board.
"We do believe that moving folks who are in an encampment is the most delicate thing that you can do," Council President Shannon Hardin said.
Hardin's and other council members' houses were the scene of a protest and arrests last month by activist Joe Motil and others, who was seeking to draw attention to the city's move to clear the camp.
"Giving away millions of taxpayer dollars to various nonprofits that are supposed to be addressing our homeless populations needs, and then washing your hands of the problem, is insufficient," Motil told Council Monday.
Council also modified an existing contract with Columbus Next Generation Corporation to continue working with elderly or disabled homeowners with limited incomes to address code violations to lessen the risk of losing their homes. The agreement provides an additional $250,000 to help more residents.
Residents seeking assistance can contact IMPACT by phone at 614-964-2906 to schedule an appointment.
wbush@gannett.com
@ReporterBush
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: More federal rent assistance available for Columbus residents
