An 11-county study of workforce housing needs has been released this week, assessing the regional housing market and proposing strategies for addressing challenges.

The 339-page Indiana Uplands Regional Housing Study includes the Bloomington/Monroe County community. Reports for individual counties also can be downloaded on the housing study's website.

Six main strategies are identified by the report (pp 318-337): 
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1. Elevate the quality of existing housing.
2. Deal with undervaluations.
3. Develop more buildable lots.
4. Create more below-market-rate housing.
5. Work on greater code enforcement and implementation.
6. Invest in quality-of-life features.

ROI is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, and is funded through a $25.87 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

The City of Bloomington is developing a five-year plan to identify affordable housing and community development needs. You can give input by taking this survey or attending any of the following stakeholder forums:

• Housing Affordability: Tues. June 11, 1:30 p.m at Bloomington Housing Authority's Community Room, 1007 North Summit St.

• Housing Equity: Tues. June 11, 3 p.m. at Bloomington Housing Authority's Community Room, 1007 North Summit St.

• Asset-building in Lower-income Neighborhoods: Wed. June 12, 9 a.m. at Broadview Learning Center, Room 143, 705 West Coolidge Dr.

• Development Pressures and Challenges: Wed. June 12, 10:30 a.m. at Broadview Learning Center, Room 143, 705 West Coolidge Dr.

• Public and Social Services: Wed. June 12, 1:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 401 N. Morton St.

• Healthy Households: Wed. June 12, 3 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 401 N. Morton St.

There are also two additional public forums at the Utilities Service Building Board Room, 600 E. Miller Dr. on Tuesday June 11 and Wednesday June 12, both starting at 6 p.m.
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Click here for more information about this effort, which is being led by the city's Housing & Neighborhood Development (HAND) unit.