This resource guide provides information about affordable/workforce housing initiatives in the Bloomington area.
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON

Several units within the City of Bloomington are involved in affordable housing efforts, which are led by the administration of Mayor John Hamilton.
The city's Economic & Sustainable Development department handles issues related to developers, including tax abatements and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) options. The Planning & Transportation department oversees planning-related issues for housing. The Housing & Neighborhood Development (HAND) department provides grants and loans for affordable housing through the city's Housing Development Fund.
Click here for a list of the city's housing-related resources.
The city's Economic & Sustainable Development department handles issues related to developers, including tax abatements and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) options. The Planning & Transportation department oversees planning-related issues for housing. The Housing & Neighborhood Development (HAND) department provides grants and loans for affordable housing through the city's Housing Development Fund.
Click here for a list of the city's housing-related resources.
STUDIES, REPORTS & OTHER RESOURCES
Heading Home 2021: A Regional Plan for Making Homelessness Rare, Brief, and Non-Repeating (2021): A plan developed by the United Way of Monroe County, the Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County, and the South Central Housing Network. This is intended serve as a community guide to support long-term initiatives in reducing and eliminating regional housing insecurity and homelessness in Monroe County.
Housing Webinar Series (2020-2021): A series of webinars on housing issues organized by the Regional Opportunity Initiatives.
Bloomington Housing Study (2020): A City of Bloomington study on housing needs.
Monroe County Housing Study (2019): Conducted by the Regional Opportunity Initiatives, as part of the 11-county Indiana Uplands Housing Study.
Bloomington Neighborhood Report (2019): Compilation of data from the Bloomington Board of Realtors.
Working Hard, Falling Behind – A Report on Affordability (2019): Compiled by the Bloomington Affordable Living Committee, this report includes a section on housing.
City of Bloomington Comprehensive Plan (2018): The city's long-range plan for land use and development. Chapter 5 focuses on housing and neighborhoods.
Community Housing Needs Assessment – Bloomington (2016): A report by the nonprofit South Central Indiana Housing Opportunities.
Monroe County Urbanizing Area Plan (2016): Phase II implementation report regarding design guidelines and zoning requirements for new development, redevelopment and property improvements.
City of Bloomington Housing & Neighborhood Development (HAND) Consolidated Plan 2015-2019) (2017): Report required by the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for communities that administer federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program.
Housing Webinar Series (2020-2021): A series of webinars on housing issues organized by the Regional Opportunity Initiatives.
Bloomington Housing Study (2020): A City of Bloomington study on housing needs.
Monroe County Housing Study (2019): Conducted by the Regional Opportunity Initiatives, as part of the 11-county Indiana Uplands Housing Study.
Bloomington Neighborhood Report (2019): Compilation of data from the Bloomington Board of Realtors.
Working Hard, Falling Behind – A Report on Affordability (2019): Compiled by the Bloomington Affordable Living Committee, this report includes a section on housing.
City of Bloomington Comprehensive Plan (2018): The city's long-range plan for land use and development. Chapter 5 focuses on housing and neighborhoods.
Community Housing Needs Assessment – Bloomington (2016): A report by the nonprofit South Central Indiana Housing Opportunities.
Monroe County Urbanizing Area Plan (2016): Phase II implementation report regarding design guidelines and zoning requirements for new development, redevelopment and property improvements.
City of Bloomington Housing & Neighborhood Development (HAND) Consolidated Plan 2015-2019) (2017): Report required by the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for communities that administer federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program.
GOVERNANCE/ADVISORY GROUPS
- Bloomington Housing Authority Board: Oversees the BHA low-income public housing and the local Section 8 voucher program.
- Bloomington Plan Commission: The City of Bloomington's land use and development policy group, which has decision-making responsibilities for certain developments and acts as an advisory body for the City Council on zoning law and planned unit developments (PUDs). Works closely with the city planning & transportation department staff.
- Ellettsville Plan Commission: Makes recommendations on planning & development issues and projects. Works closely with the Departments of Planning & Street.
- Monroe County Affordable Housing Advisory Commission: Makes recommendations to the county regarding housing issues.
- Monroe County Plan Commission: An advisory body for the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, this group reviews development proposals and makes recommendations of approval or denial. Works closely with the Monroe County Planning Department staff.