By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON—If the plans come to fruition, local taxpayers could be responsible for funding a new homeless hotel.
Matt Burgess, CEO of Home Sweet Home Ministries, is exploring the possibility of turning a local hotel into a new homeless center.
“It would be a long-term investment in what we believe is a legitimate long-term solution,” he said on WJBC’s Afternoon Show. “It would radically change what our ability to provide services looks like in this community.”
However, the project could come with a hefty price tag.
“Right now there’s an ownership situation when it goes to that. But also, does it make financial sense? Like heartstrings, wise and emotionally, it makes a ton of sense. Financially (I) don’t know yet,” Patrick Hoban, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, told WJBC. “We need to try and figure that out because there’s going to be taxpayer dollars on there, and I’m not going to do anything that’s going to put a burden and get ourselves in over our head that does not have the right return of investment.”
LISTEN: Patrick Hoban, President and CEO of the BNEDC joined WJBC’s Afternoon show to discuss the homelessness situation. Click the link below to listen to part of the conversation.
Hoban expects the city and local non-profits to have a better idea of funding near the end of the month.
If the plans come to fruition, it could become a long-term home for 30 individuals who call a parking lot near HSHM home.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
