MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The financial troubles for Bartlett Housing Solutions developed over the last few years, and it will take time and the work of multiple entities to reverse them. The situation first came to light in a letter to commissioners in Monongalia County from Bartlett Housing Solutions Board President Nick DeMedici asking for $300,000 or they may close in the next 60 days.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” DeMedici said they recently learned there was more than $250,000 in past due payables, another $250,000 in a Clear Mountain Bank line of credit, and $250,000 more in a loan also from Clear Mountain Bank. The debt quickly grew larger than what could be raised through the sale of their University Avenue building, creating the bailout request to the commissioners.
“When we realized we had another $250,000 to settle, then that became as bad as it gets, and we’re going to need some help to get through this,” DeMedici said. “But all of our creditors have been great at working with us.”
DeMedici conceded a lack of oversight by the board in the operations of the organization. But he said they are committed to enacting fiscal controls to instill confidence with funding partners and ensure continued operations in the community.
“It’s unfortunate, but ultimately we are responsible for our own shortcomings on many levels, and we’re aware of that,” DeMedici said. “So, we are moving forward, trying to correct those things, and trying to survive for a long time after this.”
“We’re having talks daily with everyone from creditors to potential funding sources, and the city and county have been very supportive,” DeMedici said. “In the short term, we’re solving problems as they come up, one at a time.”
The organization has received help from Senator Mike Oliverio, R. Monongalia, and is in talks with the Milan Puskar Foundation for financial help. Countless other unnamed organizations have stepped up to make sure none of the people depending on Bartlett Housing Solutions are left without shelter.
“You can’t eat an apple in one bite, and we are daily taking little bites at that apple, and ultimately, my hope for the long term is that we will survive this short-term and long-term, and we’ll be able to offer services to the community,” DeMedici said.
Joe Sengewalt has been named the interim CEO of the organization as the financial issues are solved. DeMedici said work on the financial fix is ongoing every day, and he is hopeful a solution can be reached sooner rather than later.
“Should we survive these next few months? Based on things that have happened in the last few days and weeks, I think that looks good for us,” DeMedici said. “I want to thank everyone in the community—it’s really too many people to say.”