Introduction
The local homelessness problem in the area has been increasingly getting worse over the years. There is not many properties available in the area due to the amount of housing the two universities and community college take up. The few opportunities low income families have to own a home are usually crushed by big companies buying out many properties for renting purposes. There are programs such as PATH and Home Sweet Home Ministries who are trying to help the homeless and reduce the amount of people on the street outside. Although, shelters are filling up and there is not many resources they can draw upon from to help stop the overflow of their shelters in the area. Many landlords in the area do not want to rent to low income people or people they deem a high risk to not pay their rent, so many landlords have been holding off on leasing their properties out to people.
| Table of Contents |
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1. Introduction 2. Current Condition 2.1 PATH Headcount 2.2 Gleason's Plea 3. Image from WGLT 4. In Depth Paper 5. Podcast about Homelessness 6. Resources |
Current Condition
There is currently an effort by a few groups in town to help the homeless in the area try and acclimate back into society. Not only have programs like Home Sweet Home Ministries offered shelter for homeless people, but have even offered job training and have negotiated to landlords on behalf of aspiring tenants behalf. PATH performs occasional head counts of the local homeless to know the current state of homeless and counted twenty-seven homeless people counted in January of 2020. https://www.wglt.org/show/wglts-sound-ideas/2020-02-11/searching-for-the-invisible-during-bloomington-normals-homeless-headcount
City Manager Tim Gleason is seeking to add pandemic relief aid towards the local homeless. Other city council members like the idea, but some believe some the homeless actually want to live outside and wish to live that sort of lifestyle. https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2022-09-29/pandemic-relief-money-could-boost-services-to-homeless-in-bloomington
Picture was taken by Judith Valente of Todd Ledbetter who frequented this spot that previously had a park bench.
https://www.wglt.org/show/wglts-sound-ideas/2016-07-06/homeless-in-bloomington-part-1
In Depth Paper
This paper goes in depth about the current state of the homeless in the area. Topics from what is currently happening, what is currently being done to help, and what is not being done in the area to help.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KIrN8FMyco8jisfG43W6LHswEUQCwckSfG-Qxl4iBuE/edit?usp=sharing
Podcast about Local Homeless
Resources
1. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KIrN8FMyco8jisfG43W6LHswEUQCwckSfG-Qxl4iBuE/edit?usp=sharing
2. “Searching for the 'Invisible' during Bloomington-Normal's Homeless Headcount.” WGLT
3. WGLT | By Charlie Schlenker. “Pandemic Relief Money Could Boost Services to Homeless in Bloomington.” WGLT, 29 Sept. 2022,
4. “Homeless in Bloomington, Part 1.” WGLT
