The City of Bloomington is expected to formally express its support for the proposed shelter village for the unhoused.
The city council will vote on the resolution during its 6 p.m. Monday meeting at the Government Center.
The move would jumpstart negotiations on a sale of the property to Home Sweet Home Ministries [HSHM] which would operate The Bridge, a shelter of 48 tiny sleeping cabins that would be located at Main Street and Oakland Avenue.
The proposed shelter village property south of downtown is owned by Connect Transit, which previously housed its headquarters there.
Managing director David Braun has said the transit agency was waiting for direction from the city before entering into negotiations to sell the property.
“We serve at the direction of the city,” Braun said.
The city gauged public feedback during two forums over the last week at the Bloomington Public Library.
“The City recognizes the importance of partnering with local organizations like HSHM and is optimistic about the potential benefits of this innovative approach to providing shelter and support services,” Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus said in a memo to the city council. He added Home Sweet Home offer additional services to those staying at The Bridge to help them find permanent housing.
Home Sweet Home proposed the idea as one solution to help find housing for the community’s growing unhoused population.
The site would be staffed around the clock with two staff members present at all times, according to the memo.
The resolution does not commit any city funding to the $2.65 million project.
Home Sweet Home CEO Matt Burgess has said the project would be funded through private and public sources, including a McLean County grant that supports mental health services.
He has said the venue will need about $1 million annually for operating expenses.
