BLOOMINGTON — Regional housing coalition Heading Home of South Central Indiana has secured a $350,000 grant from national nonprofit Community Solutions to fund the first phase of Streets to Stability, a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing unsheltered homelessness across Bloomington and Monroe County.
The funding builds on a four-year partnership with Community Solutions’ national Built for Zero movement—a data-driven framework designed to help communities reach a functional end to chronic and veteran homelessness.
Direct-to-Housing Model Tackles Unsheltered Homelessness
Unveiled in June, Streets to Stability introduces a “direct-to-housing” encampment response strategy. Rather than transitioning unhoused individuals into temporary shelter beds, the program focuses on moving people living in local encampments straight into permanent, leased apartments paired with individualized supportive services.
Key elements of the Streets to Stability framework include:
- Targeted Encampment Response: Outreach teams focus on one specific encampment or geographic zone at a time through a coordinated four- to six-week process.
- Rental Subsidies: Participants receive 12 months of rental assistance to establish immediate housing security.
- Wrap-Around Case Management: Dedicated housing case managers assist participants with healthcare access, employment connections, and long-term stability planning.
- Site Reclamation: Once residents transition into housing plans, encampment sites are closed and restored to prevent re-encampment.
Timely Intervention Amid New State Regulations
The initial launch phase targets an initial group of 10 to 12 unsheltered residents in Monroe County. The $350,000 grant arrives at a critical juncture for regional service providers following the enforcement of Indiana’s statewide public camping ban.
The law prohibits unauthorized camping or sleeping on public property, requiring law enforcement to issue warnings and offer service connections before enforcing potential Class C misdemeanor penalties.
Public health advocates and regional housing leaders note that Streets to Stability provides a vital, practical pathway for unhoused residents to gain stable housing rather than facing displacement or criminal justice involvement.
Expanding Regional Capacity
Heading Home serves as the central coordinating entity for housing security initiatives across Monroe County and South Central Indiana.
The $350,000 Community Solutions grant complements broader regional investments, including multi-year support from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, local municipal funding, and health system partnerships aimed at expanding street outreach and landlord engagement programs throughout the region.
