Beacon Incorporated executive director Forrest Gilmore has seen a rise in people experiencing street homelessness in the last 12 months.
Beacon Inc. and other service providers worked to create more shelter space this winter to meet immediate needs, such as a low barrier shelter. But Gilmore said the need will continue to increase if more isn’t done to create low-cost housing.
“It's harder and harder for us every year to be able to help people struggling with poverty find places to live in our community," Gilmore said. "The affordable housing issue is not stagnant, it’s getting worse. Which means what we’re doing is not enough.”
Gilmore said Monroe County needs more rental housing available in the $0-to-400 range.
He added one potential solution is making the City of Bloomington’s Housing Trust Fund replenishable by setting up a tax to subsidize affordable housing.
Read: In Monroe County, Portion Of Severely Cost Burdened Renters Sits At 86%
Gilmore said another model he’s seen work is in Austin Texas, where “Community First! Village,” is a planned community made of tiny homes. These provide affordable, permanent housing for people coming out of chronic homelessness.
