During public comment at the Oct. 13 Bloomington City Council meeting, resident Douglas Manley urged the city to investigate alleged unsafe housing conditions and tenant-rights violations at properties managed by the Salvation Army, including Oak Creek Crossing and units on Tracy Drive.

Manley said the Salvation Army received a $2,375,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 16, 2024, to purchase, rehabilitate and house homeless veterans but that, since the award, tenants have seen no meaningful rehabilitation. He described unsecured vacant units that he says led to repeated break‑ins, squatters, flooding, mold and infestation. Manley also alleged that a contractor unlawfully entered his garage, removed property, threatened to cut off utilities and forced him from his home without relocation assistance required under the Uniform Relocations Act.

“I have been forced to live out of my suitcase and packed boxes since June 27,” Manley said, describing himself as a senior with health conditions and saying a signed settlement promising relocation payments had not been honored. He also said housing was restricted to veterans despite federal rules allowing up to 25 percent non-veteran tenants under the grant program.

Manley asked the council to investigate potential violations of federal law and Bloomington’s Community Relations Ordinance (chapter 22.2) and to take immediate steps to secure vacant units, protect tenants and enforce relocation rights.

The mayor and council accepted Manley’s public comment; no formal action or staff directive was recorded on the transcript during the meeting.

Why it matters: The resident’s remarks allege potential misuse of federal grant funds and violations of tenant protections and relocation-assistance rules; Bloomington staff or council could follow up with an investigation or referral to state or federal agencies if warranted.

Next steps: The council did not record a formal referral during the meeting. Manley requested the city investigate; the city clerk recorded his comments and provided his written submission to council members prior to the meeting.