Affordable Housing

Oak Wood's move into Bloomington-Normal is part of a nationwide trend toward consolidation in manufactured home park ownership, often led by private equity acquisitions. Oak Wood even got help from Freddie Mac, a government entity that is supposed to help make housing more, not less, affordable.

For decades, mobile homes were one of the most affordable housing options in Bloomington-Normal, especially for those with low or fixed incomes. Oak Wood’s arrival in the market has changed that. Oak Wood has again and again squeezed more money from its residents.

Households in Normal could soon be allowed to have a maximum limit of one more pet, if an ordinance change is approved by the town council on Monday.

The Bloomington City Council adopted code text amendments pertaining to downtown development and multi-family residential districts, while acknowledging receipt of the "missing middle" housing analysis report from Opticos Design, Inc.

Bloomington city leaders continue to explore potential plans and opportunities to address the “missing middle” portion of the city’s housing shortage, as the administration seeks guidance on potential zoning and subdivision code changes.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood is voicing full-throated support for the massive Republican tax and spending bill, despite past opposition to Medicaid cuts and concern over the mounting federal budget deficit. LaHood represents parts of Bloomington-Normal.

The leaders of the Bloomington-Normal Community Land Trust say they've made lots of progress since forming two years ago. They plan to buy and at least begin rehabbing their first home sometime in 2026.

Illinois GOP lawmakers from Central Illinois held a townhall meeting this week following the end of the Spring session. The town hall took place online on Sen. Sally Turner’s Facebook page. Turner was accompanied by Rep. Bill Hauter and Rep. Regan Deering, who both represent parts of McLean County.

With a more reliable incentive plan for developers, the council is hoping to bring in multiple types of housing the city needs.

Economic development officials in Bloomington-Normal sometimes express frustration at their inability to gain consensus on the importance of addressing a housing shortage. Here's how the skeptics' argument goes.