Bloomington Township has developed a program to help provide relief to those who are facing eviction from their homes. | Adobe Stock
Bloomington Township has developed a program to help provide relief to those who are facing eviction from their homes. | Adobe Stock
Bloomington Township leaders are hoping to tackle the housing crisis by focusing efforts on housing eviction relief for eligible people who live in the city.
During an Oct. 24 meeting, Township Supervisor Deborah Skillrud addressed the City Council about an ordinance that would establish the program.
"We're hoping to make some progress here in terms of helping individuals that are in this particular crisis," she said during the meeting, which was posted on YouTube. "If somebody were to get a current eviction, it's very difficult for them to be placed into another rental space because landlords don't want a current eviction status. You know, that's like a screening tool. If you've had an eviction, a current one, they're not going to necessarily bring you in."
Skillrud told the council that the McLean County Housing Commission had recognized some issues and barriers with housing in the area, and the township resonated due to many renters not being able to afford rent with their back payments from the pandemic or the rising rates caused by inflation.
HERE, or Housing Eviction Relief Efforts, was created and utilizes surplus funds not being used by the municipality to help people with rent assistance, utility payments, mortgage assistance and other housing relief. This additional funding allows for some extra flexibility to help those who need it.
The township has allocated $200,000 for the housing relief program. Originally, $250,000 was set aside with the expectation of not using it all. The budget will be adjusted going forward in respect to how much is actually needed.
The City Council passed the motion and accepted the ordinance.
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