By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
With the coronavirus pandemic causing many people to go without paychecks, concerns are growing that some people may soon be without homes.
On Friday, the Bowling Green Human Relations Commission heard a report from Matt Snow, the housing specialist for the city of Bowling Green.
Snow said the city has received calls from some tenants about evictions – but he explained that the Bowling Green Municipal Court is not holding any eviction hearings until further notice.
Tenants are still responsible for their rent payments, and landlords are still allowed to collect rent during the pandemic. But tenants should contact their landlords to explain their current financial hardships.
“Landlords are encouraged to be flexible and understanding,” Snow said.
An organization called Rent Strike BG has been formed, asking Bowling Green landlords to grant rent amnesty until August and refund tenants for payments made in April.
The group was founded in response to Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order and the layoffs that ensued. Rent Strike BG now has more than 450 supporters through Facebook and Twitter.
A petition is circulating on Rent Strike BG’s social media, asking signers to commit to the demands of rent amnesty and “to defend each other against any threat to our ability to stay in our homes through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Snow also informed the Human Relations Commission about housing programs offered through the city. There are programs to help with home repairs, home repairs specifically for elderly residents, mobile home repairs, rental rehabilitation and direct homeownership assistance.
The city also provides Fair Housing Enforcement, a housing revolving loan fund, and help with transitional housing for people who are homeless, Snow said.
Also during Friday’s meeting, Mayor Mike Aspacher said he is proud of the response to the pandemic by city residents and employees.
“This has presented a lot of challenges for us,” he said. “I’m impressed with the way our community has responded to the challenges.”
“We’re confronted with a crisis unlike any of us have seen before, and the community rallies,” Aspacher said. “We will get through this together.”
Also during the meeting, the mayor thanked some long-time members of the Human Relations Commission, whose terms are coming to an end. They include Rev. Mary Jane Saunders, Jennifer Dever, Kim Sockman and Sheila Brown.
“You have made a difference,” Aspacher said to the members.
In other business, the human relations commission heard a report from Welcome BG director Mojabeng Kamala. The idea for the Welcome BG organization was started by the commission.
“We want this place to be inclusive,” Kamala said. “To make it a home to everybody.”
One of the incentives for welcoming immigrants was to assist economic development – since local businesses were struggling to find enough employees to fill positions.
“It was quite clear there was a labor shortage,” Kamala said.
The Welcome BG organization met with some local manufacturers who were open to hiring immigrants, but just didn’t know the processes to follow, she said.
The organization is also focused on promoting good housing and welcoming treatment in the community.
“If they come and their kids aren’t treated well in school. Of if they come and they are racially profiled in the community. They are not going to stay,” Kamala said.
The Welcome BG is working with other local organizations on a shared goal.
“To have a place we all can call home,” she said.
“This is a place we would like to leave a little more colorful and a little more diverse,” Kamala said.
