By WMBD TV

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington nonprofit wants to use a Connect Transit property to build cabins for people experiencing homelessness.

Home Sweet Home Ministries presented the idea to the transit company’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday. The group has been eyeing the Oakland Avenue property, which has not been used by Connect Transit for more than 15 years.

Matt Burgess, the CEO of Home Sweet Home Ministries, described the proposed village as a “micro-community.”

Burgess cites places like Denver, Seattle and “multiple” cities in California as success stories for these types of villages. Those cities, he said, see “dramatic reductions in the number of people who are stuck outside, and also people who are put on a path towards permanent housing.”

Only adults would be housed at the village. No children would be allowed. Offices would also be on-site for direct support for residents.

The $2.5 million project would be funded through grants and through donations, the organization said. If all goes according to plan, it could be in operation by the end of the year.

Burgess expanded on why the property would be “fairly ideal” for their vision.

“I can see it from the windows in my office in our current base of operations,” Burgess said.

They want to make the village “attractive” and a location that people would be happy to live in.

In an email, the city of Bloomington issued the following statement:

“We appreciate Home Sweet Home Ministries’ commitment to supporting those experiencing homelessness in our community. Their proposal for a 50-cabin village brings forward an idea aimed at expanding housing options. We know that shelter services are an allowed use on the proposed site and we look forward to further public discussions with Home Sweet Home and other community partners who are working tirelessly towards a solution to this community issue.”

WMBD TV can be reached at [email protected].