Ky. resettlement agency struggling to get housing for refugees from Afghanistan

The Bowling Green-based International Center of Kentucky has only been able to secure housing for about half of the 140 refugees who have arrived from Afghanistan.

The Bowling Green-based International Center of Kentucky is in the process of resettling refugees who have already arrived from Afghanistan.  

The agency is seeking housing for singles, couples and families with children.

Executive Director Albert Mbanfu said 140 refugees from Afghanistan have already arrived in Bowling Green and half still need housing.

“We have about 70 in a hotel right now in town and we are seeking rental properties to relocate them to their permanent homes,” he said. 

Mbanfu said it’s been difficult to find housing for the Afghan refugees.

“We’ve called so many realtors in town and we know that the housing is there and the apartments are there,” said Mbanfu. “But when we call they will ask us if the refugees from Afghanistan have any credit history, social security number and all of that, which of course they don’t.”

Mbanfu said the International Center will co-sign leases,  so the agency will be responsible for the rent and keeping the property in good condition as specified in the lease.

When the refugees get good-paying jobs, which they usually do in a short time, they take over the rental payments.

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