United Way of Monroe County has received $1.2 million in federal money to tackle local housing insecurity in this latest development for the regional Heading Home project. The project includes three main goals — to make one's experience of homelessness rare, brief and nonrepeating. According to project leaders, the area's unhoused population can be minimized through expanding care resources, ensuring employment opportunities and reworking the local housing market.
"Monroe County's housing market exhibits significant affordability issues," the Heading Home's regional plan states.
Over half of Monroe County households who use rental housing spend more than 30% of their income on rent, according to the Regional Opportunity Initiatives' 2019 housing study.
"Low rental supply creates a highly competitive market, resulting in higher rental prices. The most significant shortage of affordable units is for households earning less than $25,000," Heading Home's regional plan reports.
More:Bloomington-area leaders commit millions to battle housing insecurity in region
The lack of nearby affordable housing leads to widespread housing insecurity.
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