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Bloomington: Statement from Mayor Kerry Thomson Following Housing Progress and Homelessness Strategy News Conference

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~ Bloomington, IN- On Tuesday, July 29th, the City of Bloomington held a press conference to provide updates on their progress in addressing housing challenges and homelessness. Mayor Kerry Thomson led the conference and emphasized that while these issues are complex, they are not impossible to overcome. Since taking office, her administration has worked tirelessly to navigate crises within the Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) department, close out federal audits, rebuild internal systems, and launch new tools and leadership to support attainable housing and housing security. They have also generated an updated Consolidated Plan.

During the press conference, Mayor Thomson released a statement highlighting the importance of housing for a strong economy, thriving families, and healthy communities. She acknowledged the urgency of creating more housing for all types of people but also stressed the need to address housing insecurity and street homelessness. The mayor called for coordinated solutions that go beyond conversation and urged other communities, service providers, municipalities, jurisdictions, and criminal justice organizations to stop transferring individuals into Bloomington if they are not from there.

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Mayor Thomson stated that reunification is about helping people succeed and when someone in crisis arrives in Bloomington without resources to support them, it is their responsibility to connect them with a place that can help. She emphasized the city's reliance on nonprofit infrastructure and expertise as well as partnerships with other jurisdictions to address these issues effectively.

The City of Bloomington has already taken action by renewing enforcement of Title 16 to protect tenants, hiring their first Homelessness Response Coordinator, partnering with the Community Foundation to bring in 10 new case managers through Lilly Endowment support, and working closely with nonprofits to shape and implement the Housing Action Plan. The mayor reiterated her commitment to partnering with leaders across the region for real conversations, courageous choices, and shared responsibility.

In addition to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity, the City of Bloomington is also focused on increasing housing availability through various initiatives. These efforts include streamlining communication with housing partners, revising outdated permitting policies, and adopting a more solution-oriented approach to development. The city is also working on a redevelopment project in the Hopewell neighborhood to create a mix of housing types and exploring strategies to return underutilized housing stock to the market.

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Plans are also underway to strengthen neighborhood identity and expand housing opportunities near key commercial nodes, with the goal of integrating residential and mixed-use development in areas with existing infrastructure and access to services. The city's housing strategy is closely coordinated with its economic development goals, aiming to support workforce growth, improve affordability for residents, and reinforce the stability of Bloomington's local economy.

To watch the full press conference, visit catstv.net. For more information on these initiatives, please contact the Office of the Mayor at 812-349-3406 or mayor@bloomington.in.gov. The City of Bloomington remains committed to finding innovative solutions for a better future for all its residents.

Filed Under: Government, City

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