Mayor Ginther, Council President Hardin and Councilmember Tyson Announce Funding for Human Services Programs
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Council President Shannon G. Hardin
and Councilmember Priscilla Tyson today announced upcoming legislation to
provide funding for human services organizations that provide programs to
increase the resiliency of Columbus residents. Columbus City Council will
consider legislation that authorizes CARES Act dollars to fully fund the 44
Human Service Programs that were competitively selected in 2019. The $2.2
million supplements the lost bed tax revenue that usually contributes to human
service funding.
“Now, more than ever, our vision of economic security and
resilience for residents requires building a thriving community where
individuals and families have access to education, training, living wages,
higher paying jobs, financial wellness programs and stable housing,” said Mayor
Ginther. “Using CARES Act dollars to invest in these programs will help move
toward this vision.”
Additionally, City Council will consider legislation that
provides $15 million to human services COVID support grants. The grants will be
focused on providing access to residents’ basic needs as well as increasing the
capacity of Columbus Human Service providers.
“The demand on nonprofits that help to feed, house, and
employ Columbus residents has skyrocketed since COVID-19 reached our city,”
said Council President Hardin. “Over the past few months, they have
accomplished the herculean task of meeting our community’s needs despite
declining revenue. Council is happy to stand with the Mayor to, as many have
said before, ‘help the helpers.’”
“Local government entities have to advocate for our human
services providers during this critical time; as they stepped-up and met the
needs of residents that didn’t have the resources to provide for themselves
during COVID-19,” said Councilmember Tyson.
“I am pleased that we can provide funding because the sector will need
continued support over the next several months in order for their operations to
thrive.”
The City will work to form an external grant review
committee that is focused on making sure that there is an equitable
distribution of the funding. Grant funding applications will be accepted
starting July 1, 2020.
Columbus received $157 million in CARES Act funding
from the U.S. Treasury used for expenditures directly related to the City’s
response to COVID-19. These funds are being allocated for direct response to
COVID-19, human services and economic recovery.