Committee hears 2026 budget squeeze for human services as nonprofits warn demand outstrips funding

Chair Green opened the Health, Human Services and Equity Committee hearing to review the proposed 2026 operating budget, saying the committee must balance a tight municipal budget with mounting community needs. "We're at a moment where our neighbors are knocking on our door," Chair Green said, framing recent federal and state funding uncertainty as pressure on local services.

Deputy Director Hannah Jones of the Department of Development described changes to the Elevate grant program. The department consolidated its grant cycle into a single 2026 Request for Proposals for the full $10,000,000 and received applications from roughly 186–187 organizations requesting about $24,600,000. "We anticipate having the capacity to award approximately $9,000,000," Jones said, noting staff will re-run peer-review rankings and consider reducing either award amounts or the number of grantees to align with the smaller budget.

Danielle Tong, executive director of Celebrate One, outlined a proposed 2026 Celebrate One budget of $2,300,000, a roughly 6% decrease from 2025. Tong and Celebrate One operations director Asha Bashan said the organization operates 22 full-time staff (11 city-funded, 13 grant-funded) and is highly sensitive to contract delays and rescinded federal grants. Bashan described unplanned 2025 costs from grant delays totaling roughly $300,000.

Assistant Health Commissioner Anita Clark presented Columbus Public Health's proposed 2026 budget at just over $45,000,000 and said the department balanced the plan despite a modest reduction of about $500,000 (roughly 3.3%). Clark told the committee the line for federally qualified health centers in CPH’s budget was reduced from about $4.3 million to $2.0 million. "Should there be additional federal cuts, that's worrisome to us," Clark said, referencing a recent temporary SAMHSA funding notice that alarmed public-health leaders.

Nonprofit witnesses highlighted the same dynamic: rising demand and shrinking resources. Michael Corey of the Human Services Chamber said demand across service providers was increasing and called for local reprioritization and new revenue streams. "Demand is up, resources are way down," Corey said. Lauren Sands of Regionomics told the committee Columbus-area population growth will further expand service needs in coming decades.

Public commenters urged continued or increased local funding for targeted programs. Dr. Ray DeBisi of Equitas Health asked council to maintain or increase city support for HIV-related programs and SafePoint harm-reduction services, noting SafePoint has been flat-funded at $350,000 despite rising costs and use. Jennifer Sharma of Huckleberry House described 2,804 shelter nights provided to 429 youth last year and said funding cuts would threaten those services. Amy Clavin of Families Flourish asked for a $100,000 city allocation to continue rental support for participant families.

The committee did not take votes. Chair Green closed the hearing saying staff and councilors will continue to ask questions and seek creative ways to stretch dollars and identify additional funding sources as the budget process continues.

Next steps: departments will finalize recommendations and council will resume budget hearings, with an economic development and small/minority business hearing scheduled next.