U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development



Consolidated Plan Contact

CITIZEN'S SUMMARY

Action Plan

The City of Bowling Green Consolidated Plan includes a one-year Action Plan that will allocate approximately $1.1 million of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Programs, program income, and Section 18 Transportation Grant funds for 1995.

Citizen Participation

An Ad Hoc Housing and Community Development Committee was formed to evaluate data, prioritize needs, and suggest ways to impact needs relative to housing and community development in the City. The Committee included representatives from 26 organizations/ agencies, lending institutions, housing providers, and representatives of the citizens-at-large including low/moderate income residents.

Relative to public hearings, ads are placed in the Sentinel Tribune, the local daily newspaper, at least 10 days prior to the hearing, noting the time and place. All other media serving the community receive notification as well. A minimum of three public hearings are held for the Community Development Block Grant Program prior to grant submission. Relative to the Performance Report, notices are placed at least 15 days prior to the deadline for submission stating the place where the public can review and comment on the report. Substantial amendments to the year's program require a public hearing and a 30-day comment period. All public hearings take place in Council Chambers, City Administrative Service Building, 304 N. Church Street, Bowling Green, OH.


COMMUNITY PROFILE

The City of Bowling Green, Ohio, located in Northwest Ohio, is surrounded by rural farm land and is the county seat for Wood County. The City encompasses an area of 8.0 square miles. The 1990 population was 28,176, of which approximately 50% are students at Bowling Green State University. Being the county seat, most social service agencies are located within the corporate limits. The City's largest employer is the University. However, there are approximately 27 light industrial facilities in the community, e.g., Dow Jones and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. According to the 1990 Census, the educational attainment of persons 25 years and older are 89% with high school educations or higher and 42% with bachelor degrees or higher. The minority population totals 7.0% with 2.6% Black, 2.5% Asian, and 1.6% Hispanic.

The 1990 median family income (MFI) was $36,799 and the median household income was $21,766. There are 53.79% low/moderate income people in the community.


HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Conditions

Between 1980 and 1990, the City's population increased 10% as compared to its housing stock that increased 19%. In 1990, there were 8,934 housing units. The proportion of owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing remains substantially the same--58% owner-occupied and 42% renter-occupied housing. Even though 81% of the housing units were built prior to 1979, the housing stock is in good condition.

During the 1980's, Bowling Green State University's enrollment increased 6%. Since 1990 the University's enrollment declined slightly. Forty-six percent (46%) of the student population reside off-campus.

The Community Development Foundation, which assists new commercial and industrial establishments locate in the community, has commitments totaling approximately 700 new jobs for the past year and the next several years. The unemployment rate for Wood County is approximately 4.0%.

Housing Needs

The largest group of low/moderate income individuals in need of housing are single households; small families, especially single heads of household with children, and elderly.

Housing Market Conditions

Given that the City is a "college community," and that 46% of the students live off-campus, rental housing costs are high. The University adversely affects the number of affordable rental units on the market. According to the 1990 Census, there were 4,917 occupied rental units with a vacancy rate of 7.1%. In 1990, the average contract rent was $347. The current FMR rent for a 2-BR unit is $484 and a 4-BR unit is $677.

Relative to the existing Section 8 complexes, there are a total of 142 family units and 200 elderly units in the City. There are 104 2-BR units of Section 236. Recently 180 rental units were built using tax credits. All Section 8 complexes are fully occupied with waiting lists ranging from 6 months to 1 year. The Section 236 complex has a 2-year waiting list.

According to the 1990 Census, there were 3,585 units of owner-occupied housing. The number of vacant units totaled 28 with a vacancy rate of 0%. The average value of owner-occupied housing in 1990 was $87,800. Between 1990 and 1995, 146 new houses were constructed. The average cost was 167,400 exclusive of land. Land costs in the City are high ranging between $25,000 - $40,000 per lot. There are few older homes that are affordable to low and moderate-income persons due in part to the good condition of the City's housing stock and the fact that many of the affordable homes were purchased and rehabilitated by low/moderate- income persons who participated in the City's Downpayment Assistance Program and Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program. There is no new housing construction that is affordable to lower- income persons in the community.

Affordable Housing Needs

Homeless Needs

No shelters exist in Wood County. According to the 1990 Census, there were no homeless persons in the City or in Wood County. However, last year there were 39 households from Bowling Green that experienced housing crisis; 12 households were homeless and 27 households were experiencing impending homelessness. There is a Plan to deal with homeless needs. The Wood County Emergency Shelter Committee concluded that a shelter is not needed in the community.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

In the community, there are 142 Section 8 rental family housing units; there are 150 Section 8 rental elderly housing units . The waiting lists range from 6 months to 1 » years. In addition, there are 104 units of Section 236 housing and 180 new rental units built using tax credits. The newly founded Bowling Green Housing Agency received 30 Section 8 Vouchers that will be given to those in need who qualify.

Rental units exist with monthly rents that are affordable for lower-income families. However, rental assistance is needed for those at or below 50% of the median income who are rent burdened.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

Philosophically the community is very conservative. This is particularly true among the elderly who generally oppose Federal assistance.

There are barriers to constructing affordable new construction in the community. Local builders prefer building more expensive homes.

Fair Housing

The minority population is distributed throughout the City. The Fair Housing Center of Toledo, Ohio, under contract with the City, investigates alleged complaints and conducts educational programs. A survey will be completed that will identify impediments to fair housing. The City is unaware of any such impediments.

Lead-Based Paint

The City has a Wood County Health Department certified risk assessor accompany the housing inspectors on all housing inspections. The Health Department has new approved equipment to detect lead-based paint. There are, however, no painting contractors certified to remove lead-based paint at this time.

Community Development Needs

There are four areas where non-housing needs exist.
  1. Transportation

    Funds are needed to match Section 18 Rural Transportation Grants in order to provide public transportation via a taxi service. The annual ridership is 60,000 with 50% of the riders being elderly and/or persons with disabilities.

  2. Economic Development

    The City has been successful in recruiting new industries in the community. The greatest need is the construction of affordable new housing units to meet the anticipated demand of the labor force. The City established an Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund. Currently, the finance pool is large enough to support the demand.

    The Downtown Business Association, whose mission is to keep the downtown viable, needs assistance to pay staff salaries.

  3. Traffic Signalization

    The City embarked on a multiple year plan to replace the antiquated traffic signals throughout the community.

  4. Sidewalk Construction/Reconstruction

    Many lower-income households are located in the older neighborhoods that have tree-lined streets. In these areas many of the sidewalks need replacing. In the newer residential areas, other than those affected by subdivision regulations, there are few sidewalks. Consequently, sidewalk construction is needed.

Coordination

One of the City's greatest assets is that it is a relatively small community. Coordinating with local agencies and organizations is accomplished routinely by telephone. With few exceptions most community leaders know each other and cooperation is readily achieved.


HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Vision for Change

The City wishes to continue to be sensitive to the needs of the low and moderate income residents. Greater efforts are needed to involve lower-income persons in identifying needed improvements in the community. In addition, the problems or needs of a relatively small "University" community tend to be different from other communities--this includes diverse population and incomes; being a State University, there are limited financial resources available to address needs, and the continued commitment in its economic development efforts.

Housing and Community Development Objectives

Housing Priorities

The following priorities are to benefit low and moderate-income households:
  1. Affordable new construction
  2. Rental housing rehabilitation
  3. Downpayment assistance
  4. Owner-occupied housing rehabilitation
  5. Tenant-based assistance

Non-Housing Priorities

(Needs listed under the same number have equal importance)
  1. Sidewalk construction
    Transportation
    Economic Development: Revolving Loan Fund
    Railroad crossings

  2. Child care

  3. Street reconstruction
    Street lighting

  4. Traffic signalization
    Bicycle racks for downtown

  5. Health care education
    Downtown Business Association
    Playgrounds

Anti-Poverty Strategy

The City's first priority is to address the housing needs of low and moderate-income households. Because the City's staff is small and given limited financial resources, it is necessary to coordinate with other agencies and organizations in order to positively impact on the needs of low-income households. The City is interested in aggressively recruiting new industries in order to provide new job opportunities in the area.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The primary Federal resources include: CDBG, HOME, Section 18 Transportation Grants, Section 8 Voucher Program, and program income. Local resources include: Homeless funding, community contributions, agencies' programs, and local lending institutions' cooperation.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

The City of Bowling Green, Grants Office, is responsible for the Consolidated Plan meetings and public hearings. Representatives from all social service agencies, housing providers, lending institutions, and residents participated in the planning process.

Seven meetings were held evaluating data, identifying and prioritizing needs, and suggesting ways to address needs. A Public Notice was placed in the Sentinel Tribune summarizing the Committee's recommendations that were incorporated in the Consolidated Plan.


ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN

Description of Key Projects

For FY 1995, the City received $447,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds.

New Housing Construction

The City will explore the feasibility of building new houses in the $60,000 to $85,000 price range.

Rental Rehabilitation

An allocation of $80,000 will be made to the City's Rental Rehabilitation Program from the Community Development Block Grant Program. Greater emphasis will be placed on rehabilitating 1-BR and 2-BR units. Seventy percent (70%) of the units must be housed by low or moderate-income people. All units must be brought up to the Wood County Building Code and the City will match the landlord's contributions up to a maximum amount based on the number of bedrooms. Ten-year mortgages are placed on the property and loans are forgiven at 10% a year. Properties housing undergraduate students are not eligible for funding. Maximum loans range from $10,000 to $17,000 per unit.

Owner-Occupied Housing Assistance

The City received a HOME funded grant in the amount of $450,000 for downpayment assistance and owner-occupied rehabilitation.

Downpayment assistance is provided to lower-income households. The maximum grant is $12,000; Low-income households are not required to contribute any assistance; Moderate-income households must contribute 40% of the downpayment required. The after-rehabilitation value of the homes cannot exceed $74,800. A 15-year mortgage is placed on the property.

Owner-occupied rehabilitation loans are provided to low-moderate income households. With few exceptions, the maximum loan amount is $15,000. Low-income households repay the loan at time of title transfer; Moderate -income households repay the loan on a monthly basis at a 3% interest rate. A 15-year mortgage is placed on the property.

An Elderly Emergency Repair Program recently was funded with $30,000 from the CDBG program to provide grants to repair/replace one-substandard housing condition to a maximum of $6,000. Participants must be 62-years or older. No payback is required; no mortgage is placed on the property.

Tenant-Based Assistance

The Bowling Green Housing Authority, under contract with the Lucas County Metropolitan Housing Authority, received 30 Section 8 Vouchers for low-income households.

Public Transportation

The B G Taxi Service provides rides for all area residents. A regular fare is $2.00. The elderly, persons with disabilities, or children between the ages of 4 years and 12 years when accompanied by a parent pay half fare with a Transit ID. Transit ID cards can be obtained on the Second Floor, City Administrative Services Building, 304 N. Church Street, Bowling Green, OH at a cost of $1.50 with proper identification.

Economic Development

The City will allocate $32,050 to the Downtown Business Association for staff salaries. The Downtown Business Association works with downtown merchants to better serve the community by keeping the storefronts occupied, planning promotional activities for the downtown, and keeping the area attractive.

Fair Housing

The City contracts with the Fair Housing Center, Toledo, OH to investigate fair housing complaints and conduct educational training relative to fair housing laws.

Traffic Signalization

An annual allocation of $40,000 is made to replace existing traffic signals. In 1995 the signal at Main Street and Wooster Street will be replaced and the signal for the cross walk in the 100 block of S. Main Street will be replaced. The City's Utility Department is responsible.

Sidewalk Construction

Funds in the amount of $75,000 are allocated to construct sidewalks on E. Poe Road, N. Prospect Street extended, Dixie Street, S. Mercer Road, and Frazee Avenue. The City's Public Works Department is responsible.

Planning

Engineering has been planned for work on S. College Drive. The City's Public Works Department is responsible.

Emergency Response Equipment

An allocation of $50,000 will contribute to the purchase of a new fire truck to replace the existing one. The total cost of replacement is $300,000.

Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund

Program income from existing loans is expected to total $50,000 and provide adequate funding for the loan pool. New loans will be funded at 2/3 of the Dow Jones prime rate at time of closing. For each $10,000 borrowed, one new job must be created. Loans are available to manufacturing, industrial and commercial establishments. The Loan Administration Board oversees this program. For information, contact the Community Development Foundation, 121 East Wooster Street, Bowling Green, OH.

Administration Costs

Costs associated with implementation of the City's housing programs are paid with CDBG funds. Salaries, fringe benefits, training, travel, and office supplies are paid for one and one-half staff members. Housing soft costs are also paid.

Locations

Other than the locations noted above, most of the activities are located throughout the City.

Housing Goals

 - Rental Rehabilitation Program                          -  6 rental rehabilitation units
 - Emergency Repair Program                               -  6 grants awarded
 - Downpayment Assistance Program                         - 17 grants awarded
 - Owner-occupied Rehabilitation Program                  - 18 loans awarded
 - Tenant-Based Assistance (Section 8 Voucher Program)    - 30 vouchers awarded

Maps

MAP 1 depicts the City of Bowling Green and its region as well as selected points of interest.

MAP 2 depicts low and moderate income areas of the City.

MAP 3 depicts areas of greater unemployment within the City.

MAP 4 depicts the racial distribution within the City.

MAP 5 depicts the projects and neighborhoods within the City.


For more information on the City of Bowling Green and its Consolidated Plan, please contact:

Carolyn Lineback, Grants Administrator
Department of Community Development
304 North Church Street
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

Telephone: 419-354-6220


Return to Ohio's Consolidated Plans.