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Commissioners approve Community Connections HUD lease; officials stress county role is pass-through
Summary
The Board approved a lease under the county’s HUD permanent supportive housing program and clarified the county’s role is administering federal pass-through funds, not supervising judicial or law-enforcement outcomes.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a lease agreement on Oct. 22 that enables a landlord to participate in a permanent supportive housing program funded through HUD and administered as a pass-through by the county.
Carrie (staff member) explained the item was moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda to allow fuller public explanation. “It’s part of the HUD grant that we oversee. It’s a permanent supportive housing lease program,” Carrie said. Quentin Clapper, who attended to answer questions, confirmed the county’s role is administering grant rules rather than policing tenants.
Commissioners emphasized they are “rubber stamping” federal HUD funds moving to a landlord and reiterated they do not have authority over law enforcement or judicial decisions. One commissioner said, “we have no jurisdiction over local law enforcement. We have no jurisdiction over the courts,” adding that if tenants commit crimes they would be handled by the criminal-justice system.
Officials noted HUD grant rules require county involvement in lease renewals and new agreements; that requirement changed several years ago, creating public confusion. The board also noted a federal “one-strike” rule applies in cases of manufacturing or distributing controlled substances and could disqualify applicants under HUD rules.
A motion to approve the lease was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.
