The McLean County Regional Planning Commission is moving to put its housing recovery plan into practice.
After briefing the Bloomington and Normal councils, and soon the county board, commission director Ray Lai said an implementation committee will be formed with more than just governmental stakeholders.
"Also, members from different sectors that are housing related," said Lai. "We're probably looking at some of the nonprofits, the housing coalition, on the Realtors side, maybe the developers, school districts and major employers."
Both the Bloomington and Normal councils are showing interest in addressing housing issues, said Lai. The Regional Planning Commission is a planning body, and implementation requires execution and money. He said it's still open how the various government entities will parcel out costs, authority, and membership on the committee.
"It's a very good question. That's why we are looking forward to having more conversations with the county board, county administration, the city, the town, just to see how it should be set up," said Lai.
The housing recovery plan also includes creating overlay areas to allow mixed kinds of housing and areas, he said, in which affordable housing construction can receive incentives that the city and town will decide.
"We have done research that we have [to] share the findings and recommendations with them. We would think they would take those into consideration when they do their due diligence. We have a common goal. It's whatever will work for the betterment of the community," said Lai.
The community should also look for grants and loans to speed up creation of more housing, he added.
The plan also includes a need for money to continue a community housing assistance navigator and create a housing coordinator job.
