BEMIDJI — In a first-ever event, Bemidji city officials — partnering with Beltrami County and the local nonprofit community — brought the First City Rental Housing Seminar to the Sanford Center.
City rental inspector Ben Hein created the Aug. 23 event with a goal to address some of Bemidji’s housing woes.
"We know that there's a need out there and we're able to get all these folks under one roof," Hein said.
"I'm already seeing some positives. I've already seen a tenant in need connected with the landlord that's going to be a good, good fit for them."
Hein aimed to eliminate barriers to access, like space for children and transportation via Paul Bunyan Transit.
Area agencies like Evergreen Youth and Family Services, Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc. and other local nonprofits were on hand to provide information and resources to tenants and prospective renters.
And Hein himself was on hand to answer questions about what he is looking for as the rental inspector, like egress windows.
"Someone asked me, 'Hey, do they have to open?' And that's just somebody that just didn't know. And it's like, well, they absolutely have to open," Hein said.
While many Minnesota families own their homes, it’s a different picture in Bemidji.
The latest Census data indicates that nearly 60% of housing units in Bemidji are renter-occupied, which is nearly twice the state average.
Additional strains on Bemidji's local housing market include aging affordable housing stock. Entire buildings like Red Pine Estates and Ridgeway Apartments had to be vacated in recent years due to unsafe structures, with plans to renovate Red Pine approved by the City Council.
Hein said differences in communication styles can also contribute to poor landlord-tenant relationships.
"You know, most of the problems that deal with tenants and landlords, it comes down to communication. They're not sure how to ask and maybe they're not explaining it in the right way," Hein said.
With so many renters and landlords in the city, Hein indicated he intends to host more events like this in the future.
