Hamilton discusses changes for neighborhoods

Democratic mayoral candidate John Hamilton has announced several changes he would like to see in Bloomington if he progresses from the May 3 primary election. On Thursday he announced a set of guidelines to “strengthen and preserve” Bloomington’s neighborhoods.

Rental to ownership
The Housing and Neighborhood Development department would collaborate with landlords, home buyers, neighborhood associations and other stakeholders to identify areas where rental houses can be purchased, renovated and restored to affordable single-family homes.

Affordable housing
The City would use the following methods to make housing more affordable:
Expand the Housing Trust Fund with potential dedicated revenue
Support existing providers, such as Habitat for Humanity, with new revenues
Consider strategies to preserve affordable manufactured housing sites
Explore a community land trust to create permanently affordable housing

Brownfield reclamation
Working with property owners, neighborhood associations and other stakeholders, sites would be identified and then reclaimed for more productive, neighborhood-appropriate uses, particularly near the B-Line, schools and parks. Hamilton said polluted, neglected properties damage neighborhoods and should be a high priority for restoration.
   
    ­­— Mary Kenney