City presents housing-rehabilitation plan, flags nearly 1,000 estimated abandoned properties

Melissa Hahn, a Community Impact and Enhancement staff member, presented a proposed set of housing rehabilitation programs to the Bloomington City Council on Feb. 17, saying the proposals respond to priorities the council set in a July resolution to address housing affordability, availability and quality.

Hahn described a three-part approach of city investment, community investment and outreach and education and said the city has already invested federal and local funds in rehabilitation. "One of those key priorities you identified was for city staff to develop a housing rehabilitation program, and that's what I'll be talking to you about tonight," Hahn said.

Under the staff proposal, the City would offer an Exterior Repair and Improvement program for owner-occupied units in the designated regeneration area. Staff recommended income eligibility at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) — Hahn gave examples of AMI: $61,250 for an individual and $115,500 for a family of eight — a project minimum of $5,000 and a project maximum of $20,000, and an annual program budget between $160,000 and $200,000. A second proposed Minor Home Repair and Improvement program would cover items such as water heaters, HVAC, mobile-home roof repair, accessibility ramps and radon testing, with the same 80% AMI eligibility, project minimum of $5,000, project maximum of $10,000 and an annual budget…