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Township budget proposal includes $150,000 for homelessness services; supervisors describe modular housing option
Summary
Bloomington Township supervisors reviewed a proposed FY2026 township budget that includes a $150,000 line for homelessness services, possible purchase of modular units and ongoing questions about assessor software and program eligibility for rental assistance.
Bloomington Township supervisors reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and highlighted a $150,000 allocation to homelessness services that staff said could underwrite modular units or other shelter-related supports.
"We do have a $150,000 put in for homelessness services. And so that's significant," Supervisor Skowood told trustees as he introduced the budget packet, which the township is keeping available for public review before a March public hearing.
Staff and trustees discussed how the money might be used. Skowood said the funds were intended for modular units if the city could provide infrastructure (electricity, latrines) or for storage lockers to help people secure belongings. He provided cost estimates drawn from online vendor listings during the meeting, saying individual modular units can run "about 10 to 15,000" apiece and that the $150,000 could potentially buy 10 to 15 single modules depending on configuration and operations costs.
Trustees also asked about eligibility and interaction with other assistance programs. In response to a question about the HHEAR program and rental assistance, Skowood said the township’s emergency-assistance program is restricted to applicants who meet local GAEA criteria and that state emergency assistance has a statutory limitation allowing recipients to receive emergency assistance only once every 12 months. "...you can only receive emergency assistance by state statutes once every 12 months," he said.
On operations and procurement, the assessor’s office reported continuing work on a two-decade-old, homegrown assessment software and said staff are considering whether to continue in-house development or procure a vendor product; acquiring a new assessor vehicle was also flagged as a potential capital purchase if approved after the budget is adopted.
A motion to accept and place the proposed township budget on file for a 30-day review period was made and seconded during the meeting; the motion passed. Trustees were invited to submit questions to staff by phone or email during the review period, and a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for March 4 at 5:15 p.m.
