Bloomington housing study highlights need for diverse housing options and regulatory changes

The Bloomington City Council convened on May 27, 2025, to discuss the findings of the Missing Middle Housing Study, aimed at addressing the city's housing needs and regulatory barriers. The meeting highlighted the importance of diversifying housing options to accommodate residents at various life stages and income levels.

The presentation began with an overview of the study's objectives, emphasizing the need for a broader variety of housing types in Bloomington. The report serves as a toolkit to initiate discussions on how to align local regulations with the goal of promoting growth while ensuring that new housing developments fit within existing neighborhoods.

Key findings from the study revealed a growing percentage of single-person households and seniors in Bloomington, indicating a shift in housing demand. The presentation noted that many residents are currently cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing. This underscores the urgency of understanding the housing needs of the community and aligning them with available options.

The first chapter of the study provided a demographic overview, citing the need for approximately 13,000 new housing units by 2035 to meet the growing demand. However, the city has only produced around 3,000 units in the past 13 years, highlighting a significant gap in housing supply.

The council discussed the importance of identifying regulatory barriers that hinder housing production. The study aims to pinpoint these obstacles before proposing actionable recommendations. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore the findings and engage with stakeholders to develop strategies for enhancing housing availability in Bloomington.

Overall, the council's discussions underscored the critical need for a comprehensive approach to housing that reflects the diverse needs of the community, setting the stage for future initiatives aimed at improving housing accessibility and affordability.