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Bloomington council approves $778,293 recommended CDBG distribution, prioritizes physical improvements and social services
Summary
The Bloomington Common Council unanimously adopted a resolution to accept Citizens Advisory Committee recommendations for an estimated $778,293 in 2026 CDBG funding, allocating roughly 65% to physical improvements and 15% to social services, with contingency rules for over- or under-allocation.
The Bloomington Common Council on Jan. 14 adopted Resolution 2026-02 approving recommended distributions of an estimated $778,293 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Anna Killian Hansen, director of Housing and Neighborhood Development, told the council that because Bloomington is an entitlement community the city receives an annual HUD allocation and must divide funds into administration, social services and physical improvements under federal rules. "The Community Development Block Grant is a federal grant distributed via formula from HUD under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974," she said during the presentation.
Under the Citizens Advisory Committee recommendations the estimated allocation translates to about $155,658.60 (20%) for administration, $116,743.95 (15%) for social services and $505,890.45 (65%) for physical improvements. Staff and CAC members described specific physical‑improvement awards: Boys & Girls Club gym/security access received $127,580 (requested $169,000); Life Designs group‑home flooring at 1701 E. Winslow received $19,420; Middle Way House fire panel received $11,334; New Hope for Families received $53,000 for a basement build‑out; Reverend Butler received $150,000 for playground and courtyard work; and My Sister’s Closet was recommended for $144,556.45 toward renovations at 1204 W. Second Street.
Cody Toothman, the city's social‑services program manager, summarized the social‑service grants the CAC put forward: Community Kitchen ($25,000), Beacon Inc. / Friends Place Emergency Shelter ($20,000), Hoosier Hills Food Bank ($20,000), Boys & Girls Club Ferguson‑Crestmont after‑school programs ($18,000), New Hope for Families childcare ($18,000) and Middle Way House New Wings Emergency Shelter ($15,744). Staff described contingency rules to redistribute funds if final HUD allocation differs from the estimate and explained that some awards may be adjusted by percentage formulas if the social‑services pot is lower than projected.
Councilors thanked staff for the outreach and raised broader concerns about long‑term federal cuts to CDBG funding. Council Member Morales noted multi‑decade declines in CDBG national funding and urged advocacy to Congress to protect local program capacity. The council then voted by roll call to adopt the resolution, which passed unanimously, 8‑0.
The resolution includes contingency language to scale awards if the final HUD grant differs from the estimate and sets a priority order for additional physical‑improvement funding if more money becomes available.
