By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A new analysis of housing in Wood County revealed the same problems as past studies – too few affordable rentals and a lack of public transportation which doesn’t allow people to access less expensive housing.
Dave Steiner, director of the Wood County Planning Commission, shared the latest Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing with the county commissioners on Tuesday. The study is required every five years in order for the county to get Community Block Grant Funding from HUD.
The massive report digs into the county’s demographics, and looks at areas where fair housing opportunities can be furthered.
Steiner said the report points out three areas needing improvement.
First is the lack of affordable rentals, which are limited primarily to Bowling Green. Few low rent properties are available outside of the city, he said.
Second is the lack of public transportation, which is especially detrimental in small villages. Wood County Commissioner Doris Herringshaw mentioned the new Net Plus transportation program which should be in operation by the end of last week. However, that program is to provide rides to doctor’s appointments, not to the grocery story or social visits.
“It does keep people in small towns kind of isolated,” Herringshaw said of the lack of public transportation.
With Wood County being the seventh largest county geographically in the state, efforts to provide comprehensive public transit have stalled.
“There’s no easy solution to that,” Wood County Administrator Andrew Kalmar said.
Steiner agreed. “I have yet to find a solution,” he said, adding that the need for public transportation will continue to grow. “With the aging population, that is going to be a bigger problem.”
The third issue identified in the housing study was the fact that many people are not aware of their rights when renting a home. For example, Steiner said, if a doctor has determined that a person needs a service animal, that person cannot be denied from having a service animal in their rental.
“People don’t always know their rights,” he said.
In addition to highlighting housing problems, the countywide analysis also provides the county with useful demographic information.
“It looks very comprehensive,” Commissioner Craig LaHote said.
“It really tells a lot about Wood County,” Herringshaw said.
