Mayor John Cranley has proposed a budget that allocates 1.2% of the City’s General Fund (~$4.8M) toward human services, as prescribed by Ordinance 153-2017. That ordinance, championed by HSC in 2017, sets forth a schedule of increases in the percentage of General Fund dollars that go toward human services, with the ultimate goal of reaching 1.5% by 2023. Per the ordinance’s schedule, this year’s percentage jumped from 1% to 1.2%, which would increase human services funding in the amount of ~$800,000. Additionally, Mayor Cranley has proposed $250,000 in funding for eviction prevention, a policy priority that HSC has advocated for over the past two years. We are grateful for the Mayor’s demonstrated commitment to helping the residents of our community overcome systemic barriers and reach their fullest potential. As City Council deliberates on the budget this week, we urge them to support the Mayor’s funding proposals for human services and eviction prevention. Our letter to City Council:
June 17, 2019
Dear Honorable Council Members,
First, on behalf of our 55 Human Services Chamber members, thank you for your continued commitment to fund human services in the amount of 1.5% of the General Fund budget by 2023, as documented in Ordinance No. 153-2017.
Over the past decade, the City has invested a great deal of time and resources on economic development through infrastructure improvements, tax abatements, and other incentives. The result is a new vitality in our downtown and several neighborhoods. We have a lot to be proud of.
As we look to the next decade, it is time to focus on investing in the City’s greatest asset- its people. As Governor DeWine recently stated, “you cannot have economic development without human development.” We believe that investments in public transit, job training, and affordable housing are at least as central to the City’s economic health as parking garages and renovated buildings.
The City’s human services funding has helped thousands of residents over the last decade overcome difficult life challenges and become contributing members of our community. Just in the last year, this funding helped over 1,000 City residents find employment. Over 800 people who were assisted in finding a job kept their employment a year later. On the housing front, over 2,300 residents received housing services and a similar number remained in stable housing a year after receiving assistance. With a focused commitment on these human investments, we can lower our poverty rate and create a healthy and vibrant community for everyone.
We appreciate the focus that this Mayor and Council has shown toward removing the barriers that keep our residents from being self-sufficient, especially those related to housing and transportation. In closing, we urge you to support the Mayor’s proposal to allocate $250K for eviction prevention and 1.2% of the General Fund toward human services per the 1.5% ordinance schedule.
Respectfully,
Gina Marsh
Executive Director
