Opening Doors To First-Time Homebuyers Among Underserved Populations

Understanding the Goals of the Fair Housing Center in Southwest Michigan

Housing discrimination isn’t always a slammed door. Sometimes it’s a quieter pattern: one person gets the full tour, another gets brushed off; one gets the helpful phone number, another gets “check the website.”  Those small moments can shape who gets access to safe, stable housing, as is discussed with Beth Romeo from the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan and Darcy Schmitt from the City of Battle Creek. Episode Resources City of Battle Creek Website [https://battlecreekmi.gov/] Fair Housing Center of SW Michigan [https://www.fhcswm.org/] Watch the video of this discussion here [https://www.youtube.com/@CityofBattleCreekMichigan/videos]or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917. The BC City Connection Podcast [https://www.battlecreekmi.gov/838/BC-City-Connection-Podcast] is produced by Livemic Communications [http://www.livemiccommunications.com/].

Community Oversight Board 101

On this episode of BC City Connection, Community Oversight Board (COB) Chair Carey Whitfield and Vice Chair Clare Tanner to explain how Battle Creek’s police complaint review and appeal process works.  The Community Oversight Board is a community-based advisory board that serves the City Manager by reviewing appeals of investigations and findings related to community complaints made against the Battle Creek Police Department. The Board also supports transparency, community education, and trust-building between residents and law enforcement by providing community perspective on departmental practices and policies. Episode Resources City of Battle Creek Community Oversight Board [https://battlecreekmi.gov/1162/Community-Oversight-Board] Watch the video of this discussion here [https://www.youtube.com/@CityofBattleCreekMichigan/videos]or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917. BC CIty Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications [http://www.livemiccommunications.com/].

Opening Doors To First-Time Homebuyers Among Underserved Populations

This time on the BC CIty Connection Housing Podcast, REALTOR Talia Champlin joins the city's Darcy Schmitt to discuss what “equitable pathways to homeownership” really means and why the hardest part is often stepping onto the path in the first place.  Episode Resources City of Battle Creek website [https://battlecreekmi.gov/] Watch the video of this discussion here [https://www.youtube.com/@CityofBattleCreekMichigan/videos]or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917. The BC City Connection Podcast [https://www.battlecreekmi.gov/838/BC-City-Connection-Podcast] is produced by Livemic Communications [http://www.livemiccommunications.com/].

Assistant City Manager Handoff In Battle Creek

In their first interviews since Battle Creek Assistant City Manager Ted Dearing announced his retirement, he and successor Marcie Gilette talk through the priorities, partnerships, and resident input that will guide what comes next. Ted also reflects on his tenure in Battle Creek. Episode Resources City of Battle Creek website [https://battlecreekmi.gov/] Watch the video of this discussion here [https://www.youtube.com/@CityofBattleCreekMichigan/videos]or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917. The BC City Connection Podcast [https://www.battlecreekmi.gov/838/BC-City-Connection-Podcast] is produced by Livemic Communications [http://www.livemiccommunications.com/].

How Habitat For Humanity Makes Homeownership Possible In Battle Creek

This time, the BC CIty Connection Housing podcast visits with Executive Director Mike King from Habitat for Humanity in Calhoun County to break down how the program turns renters into homeowners through affordable payments, volunteer labor, and strong local partnerships.  Darcy Schmidt from the City of Battle Creek weighs in about why homeownership matters for equity and how the city helps remove barriers so more homes can be built. Episode Resources City of Battle Creek Housing Strategy [https://battlecreekmi.gov/1024/Housing-Strategy] Calhoun County Habitat for Humanity [https://www.habitatbc.org/] Watch the video of this discussion here [https://www.youtube.com/@CityofBattleCreekMichigan/videos]or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917. BC CIty Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications [http://www.livemiccommunications.com/].