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THE OFFICIAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL
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It's official, every full-time permanent staff member employed by the City of Columbus earns at least $15 an hour. The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at City Hall.
"The work to lift wages in our community is central towards creating a more equitable Columbus," said City Councilmember Rob Dorans. "Organized labor is a key partner in making this happen with our city's own workforce and within our community."
The City of Columbus has 8,498 permanent, full-time employees, all now making a minimum of $15 an hour. All future hires will be at or above $15 an hour.
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As more older residents decide to spend their later years in their own homes, the need to help them age-in-place grows.
In partnership with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA), Council is investing more than $6 million in programs created to reduce displacement, malnourishment, homelessness and eviction in older adult communities.
"It’s important to provide opportunities to help older residents stay comfortable in homes they've lived in for years," said Councilmember Mitchell J. Brown, chair of the Veterans and Senior Affairs Committee. "It’s our responsibility to invest in people who helped build this City."
For information on the COAAA, housing assistance and nutrition programs call 614-645-7250.
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First responders have the tough task of assessing a situation within minutes. What happens when there is a language barrier? In response to requests by residents, Council approved funding to increase the number Columbus Division of Police officers with access to on-demand interpretation services. The goal is to improve communication between police and limited English proficiency communities.
“City Council is committed to breaking down barriers between city services and residents,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy. “In a moment of emergency, everyone deserves to be understood, no matter their language.”
While the Division of Police has provided officers with access to interpretation services for some time, the demand for these services has increased as Columbus’ limited English proficiency population continues to grow.
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 Breakout Session: "It's A Different World, Envision Your Future!" 2019 MBK Youth Leadership Conference
In 2015, President Obama issued a call to action to communities across America - to expand growth and development opportunities to boys and young men of color. For Columbus to truly embrace the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) initiative, the community must unite efforts and invest in boys and young men of color.
"Nearly five years ago, I made the conscious decision to help shape and grow a grassroots effort that could balance the scales that weighed heavily against people of color," said Council President Shannon G. Hardin. "This is my commitment to the community of men who look like me. This passion is the foundation of the My Brother's Keeper initiative."
The following programs have been created to support the youth of Columbus.
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MBK Grants: The grants will disburse a total of $75,000 to nonprofit organizations for 2020 MBK programming. The request for proposals opened on October 16, 2019. Apply today Application Deadline is November 8, 2019.
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Development Programming: On Saturday, October 19, 2019, the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods hosted the 2019 "It's A Different World, Envision Your Future!" MBK Youth Leadership Conference. The conference was held at Africentric Early College and had over 200 attendees.
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Barbershop Books Makes the Literary Cut: The Barbershop Books program provides child-friendly reading spaces in neighborhood barbershops. Working with Columbus City Schools, the program purchased 150 books and created ten reading spaces in neighborhood barbershops in 2016. Today, the program has expanded to 33 local barbershops meeting families where they are and making books available where residents feel most comfortable.
Come one, come all! Bring the entire family to the second annual Columbus City Council Boo-tastic Community Meeting. Stop by the tables and talk to City Councilmembers and City staff while your children fill their bags with treats.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Beatty Community Center
247 North Ohio Avenue
6-7:30pm
The Community Meeting series gives residents a chance to talk to Councilmembers, staff and department leadership about diverse subject matter in an informal setting.
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The Department of Neighborhoods presents the free Landlord Fair and Workshop. The event features informative workshops, presentations, and panel discussions on how landlords can gain resources for the work that they do, and become even more valuable to their neighborhoods.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Downtown High School
364 S 4th Street
8am-2pm
RSVP: https://www.columbus.gov/landlordfair/
It will provide a space for landlords to network with one another, discuss best practices and share new ideas. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information, contact us at CNSS@columbus.gov.
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AT YOUR SERVICE
 SOURCE: Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
Housing is an issue nationally and in Central Ohio. Council and the community continue to work together to bring more affordable housing units to the City. Below is a summary of local organizations working to build a strong Columbus for all.
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Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, www.cmhanet.com, 614-421-6000
CMHA helps people access affordable housing through collaborative partnerships to develop, renovate and maintain housing; promote neighborhood revitalization; and assist residents in accessing needed social services.
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Homeport, www.homeportohio.org, 614-221-8889
Committed to closing the housing gap for low-to-moderate income individuals, families, and seniors making 100% or less of the area median income (AMI), with emphasis on residents earning 60% AMI or less, which is $45,840 for a family of four. Currently, they have 36 rental properties managed with over 2,300 units.
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Community Housing Network, www.chninc.org, 614-487-0405
Community Housing Network has developed and managed more than 1,600 apartments located at 147 different sites scattered throughout Franklin County in 32 zip codes and currently serves more than 2,000 people in apartments throughout Columbus. CHN offers residents supportive services to enable them to find work and maintain their treatment and recovery.
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Habitat for Humanity, www.habitatohio.org, 614-545-7835
Habitat for Humanity’s home-ownership program brings the dream of home-ownership to qualifying partner families. Applicants must demonstrate a need for housing and the ability to pay a mortgage. Prospective homeowners partner with Habitat in a 12-18 month process that includes construction on their home, financial and home maintenance classes, and volunteering in their communities.
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Community Development for All People, www.4allpeople.org, 614-445-7342
Since 2005, Community Development for All People and their partners have invested over $70 million in affordable housing. In 2008 CD4AP teamed up with Nationwide Children's Hospital to form the Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Families (HNHF) Realty Collaborative, with the intent to rehabilitate and repair homes within a 38 block area to the immediate south and east of the Hospital's main campus. Their healthy rentals program is currently working on the construction of 11 separate rental units that will be rented to individuals at or below 80% AMI, with some units reserved at 50% AMI.
 Columbus City Council is taking residents on a journey to explore the work and processes behind the legislation shaping our community. Council in 90 is a multi-platform podcast series featuring Council, City officials and community leaders who work to build a vibrant, dynamic city.
Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio or wherever you find your podcasts.
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