Page last updated on May 13, 2025 at 11:45 am
The mission of the Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department:
To enhance the quality of life for Bloomington residents by developing programs, services, and partnerships to preserve community character, promote affordable housing and encourage neighborhood vitality.
Services include historic preservation, neighborhood services, housing programs such as affordable housing, housing counseling, and home repair grants and loans. Services also include municipal code enforcement. Refer to Title 6: Health and Sanitation, and Title16: inspection of rental housing. File a rental complaint here.
On any one day you may find a HAND employee rolling up their sleeves to help with a neighborhood cleanup or sitting in an office advising a prospective homeowner.
HAND is committed to sustainability, and we offer multiple programs to assist residents in their efforts to make their homes and neighborhoods sustainable for the future. Learn more in this video.
HAND publishes two monthly newsletters:
Rental Central: HAND's newsletter for property owners and managers
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R101: Renting in Bloomington - FREE class, open to ALL Bloomington renters!
Coming October 14, 2025.
More info
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Occupancy Affidavit Form
Rental properties are limited in the number of unrelated adults who may occupy them. In most residential areas, the occupancy limit is three.
IU STUDENTS your questions answered
Leases, parking, noise, trash, and more!
City Policy on Bamboo
Yellow Groove Bamboo is prohibited in the city of Bloomington. This document outlines the process by which the HAND department enforces this prohibition.
Workforce Housing
Workforce housing provides housing for families and individuals whose income falls above the threshold to qualify for affordable housing, but below the income necessary to pay for market-rate housing. To qualify for workforce housing in Bloomington, your household income must fall between 80% and 120% of the area median income (AMI).
HOME - ARP Approved by HUD - July 2023
The HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) allocation plan provides a concise summary of the actions, and activities to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability based on the City of Bloomington's goals as identified in the City's Consolidated Plan and Needs Assessment.
City of Bloomington Annual CAPER 2022
The CAPER is a summary of accomplishments from the actions, and activities performed through the federal resources received each year. The report may be viewed here. The public comment period closed on August 28, 2023, and the plan has been submitted to HUD for review.
2024 Annual Action Plan
The Annual Action Plan outlines yearly funding plans for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding received by the City of Bloomington, as well as helping track goals established within the Consolidated Plan. The draft Annual Action Plan can be reviewed here.
City of Bloomington Annual CAPER 2023
The CAPER is a summary of accomplishments from the actions, and activities performed through the federal resources received each year. The report may be viewed here.
What to do if someone is trespassing on your property
A resource guide for property owners