Housing is a complex, multi-faceted issue that is integral to meeting the needs of all current and future residents of a community.  Recognizing that housing is best addressed at the regional level, the McLean County Regional Planning Commission (MCRPC), in partnership with the City of Bloomington, the Town of Normal, and the Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA), completed the region’s first housing study in 2017: BN Home.

Key findings from the Study include:

 

1. McLean County is seeing low population growth and therefore a reduced demand for both single- and multi- family housing.
2. McLean County is overbuilt. This is especially true for single-family residential developments.
3. McLean County is relatively affordable compared to peer communities, but there are gaps in the supply of affordable housing for low-income households that need a rent subsidy and elderly households with incomes between $25,000 and $35,000.
4. Few housing opportunities exist for the homeless population.
5. There is a mismatch between new supply and household size.
6. There appears to be a variety of housing options for older persons with disabilities but facilities are limited for persons aged 18 to 64 who have mobility limitations or other disabilities.

 

Upon completion of BN Home, a Regional Housing Advisory Committee was established as an interjurisdictional advisory body to proactively address housing issues in the community.

 

The Regional Housing Advisory Committee consists of two separate, but interrelated, working groups, along with a coordinating Staff Committee. The mission of the advisory committee is to provide a forum for housing stakeholders to interact on a regular basis, identify collaborative opportunities, and proactively address housing issues in the community.  

 

Intergovernmental Staff Committee

The Intergovernmental Staff Committee is responsible for determining the priorities and policies of the Regional Housing Advisory Committee with input from group membership and acts as the conduit between local housing efforts and state and federal housing agencies.

Committee members represent the following organizations that evaluate and implement the recommendations of the advisory groups:

  • McLean County Regional Planning Commission
  • City of Bloomington
  • Town of Normal
  • Bloomington Housing Authority
  • PATH
  • McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council

Affordable and Supportive Housing Committee

The Affordable and Supportive Housing group focuses on increasing the inventory of safe, high quality, affordable and supportive housing particularly to lower income groups, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Committee members represent organizations that have a direct stake in affordable or supportive housing in McLean County:

 

  • The Baby Fold
  • Bloomington Housing Authority
  • Marcfirst McLean County
  • Mid Central Community Action (MCCA)
  • Providing Access to Help (PATH)
  • Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC)
  • Habitat for Humanity of McLean County
  • Normal Township
  • Prairie State Legal Services
  • Chestnut Health Systems
  • Town of Normal
  • City of Bloomington
  • McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
  • McLean County Regional Planning Commission