The City of Bloomington has announced two forums have been scheduled to collect public input on a proposed cabin village to serve the unhoused.
An official with Bloomington-based Home Sweet Home Ministries said in February the agency wants to build a 50-bed non-congregant village near Main Street and Oakland Avenue south of downtown to help address the overflow of unhoused residents who are unable to stay in either of Bloomington’s homeless shelters.
The forums are scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, May 2 and 7 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Bloomington Public Library Community Room 1.
“The proposed project represents a compassionate and practical step forward in addressing unsheltered homelessness in our community,” said Home Sweet Home Ministries CEO Matt Burgess.
The property is owned by Connect Transit. It’s the site of the transit agency’s former headquarters. The transit agency leases the land to the city on a month-to-month basis.
Members of the Bloomington City Council and the Connect Transit Board have been invited to attend, according to a news release from the city.
“This is an important conversation for our community,” said City Manager Jeff Jurgens. “These forums are designed to ensure the public has a clear understanding of the proposal and a chance to have their voices heard.”
Home Sweet Home has said the project would cost about $2.5 million and would need about $1 million annually for operating costs.
Burgess has said the nonprofit plans to pursue private and public funds, including McLean County’s mental health funds that are supported by sales taxes in Bloomington and Normal.
