WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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An affordable housing development planned for the former Thomson plant property, located off South Rogers St, is moving forward. Monroe County Commissioners approved an agreement yesterday transferring up to 14 acres of the 84 acres property to Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County. According to County Attorney Jeff Cockerill, the transfer will come in two phases: a four acre phase and a ten acre phase. Darryl Neher, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, says the contract with the county is a big step toward creating more affordable housing. Neher expects a dramatic impact will come from developing the Thomson property in conjunction with Habitat’s own property nearby and says a number of potential community partners are expressing strong interest in the project. He told Commissioner Amanda Barge more ideas for the overall project are still under development, such as on-site child care. According to County Attorney Cockerill, a 501c3 management organization will be established in association with the development. Habitat for Humanity and the County would each have representation on the entity’s board.
In the same meeting, Commissioners declared Friday, May 11th as Housing for Hoosiers Day. The special designation is meant to draw attention to the need for affordable, rental housing. Advocates say low income families, seniors, and people with disabilities are especially in need. South Central Indiana Housing Opportunities, or SCIHO, is behind the declaration. SCIHO board member Patrick Murray says the goal is to facilitate equitable housing for households within a range of income levels. The organization is promoting its new website, Housing4Hoosiers.org, which Board member Nordia McNish sees the website as especially helpful for low income renters.
