The Bloomington City Council is back from summer recess this week and will look to allocate $3.35 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for the 2021 fiscal year.
Bloomington’s total ARP funding allotment was $22.27 million that must be spent by Dec. 31, 2024.
In this first round of funding, $1.2 million has been set aside for United Way to address homelessness through its Housing Insecurity Group, as well as another $250,000 for the Bloomington Housing Authority to create more affordable housing options.
Mayor John Hamilton and several local social service agencies pledged earlier this summer the funds would be used to combat these longstanding issues.
READ MORE: Hamilton To Ask Council For "Multi-Million" Chunk Of Rescue Plan For Housing
An additional $200,000 could also be appropriated toward a new landlord risk mitigation program.
Per the language in the proposal, this fund would "increase landlord participation in programs designed for renters facing barriers, including the federal Section 8 program and other such rental programs."
The rest of the proposed money would be distributed to an array of areas, from local arts to improving city utilities to increasing public access to wireless internet.
This is only the first round of ARP funding, as the city is expected allocate another $6.4 million for the 2022 budget.
Council will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom on the city’s website.
