The Bridge Shelter Village
Home Sweet Home Ministries is pursuing the development of a new non-congregate shelter program in Bloomington, IL, called “The Bridge” with the hope of having it operational before winter sets in again later in 2025. Pending successful acquisition of property, HSHM intends to break ground on the project in the Summer of 2025 and have it ready for occupancy by the beginning of November 2025.
Below is a list of questions and answers that many in the community have asked regarding this project.
The Bridge will be an innovative model of providing temporary, non-congregate shelter to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Bloomington-Normal. While this is a new concept to McLean County, this approach has already been successfully implemented in numerous communities across the country. The shelter village will have 48 sleeping cabins (40 individual, 8 double) and be able to accommodate up to 56 adults.
The number of people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington-Normal has grown in recent years, exceeding the number of beds available in the existing shelter system. Additionally, the traditional shelters provide “congregate” or group accommodations that require those served to share spaces with others. Often, individuals with significant trauma histories or who experience mental health or substance use disorders are unable to adequately function within such group settings. The resulting increase in people experiencing unsheltered homelessness indicates the need to develop new initiatives to address the problem of homelessness in our community. The non-congregate model of shelter offered by The Bridge will provide new opportunities to community members seeking a path to stable, permanent housing.
Adults who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness and who have been unable to utilize the existing shelter services in the community are the priority population. Due to the design of the program, adults with accompanying minor children will not be able to be served at The Bridge
Referrals for admission will be made by homeless service providers and other partnering agencies. Self-referral by presenting at The Bridge will also possible.
Helping people transition from unsheltered homelessness to permanent housing is the overarching goal. The Bridge serves as a temporary residence where people can sleep safely while getting connected to supportive services.
By offering a non-congregate shelter option, those individuals with higher barriers to service will have new opportunities to regain stability and return to housing.
On average, it is expected that individuals will stay at The Bridge for 3-6 months before returning to permanent housing. Homelessness is often a complex set of circumstances that varies by individual, so the length of time at The Bridge may vary significantly from person to person.
Multiple support services will be provided on-site, including:
-
Substance use disorder and mental health treatment
-
Primary medical care
-
Housing assistance services
-
Employment supports
Several nonprofit organizations in the community are partnering with Home Sweet Home Ministries to provide these supportive services at The Bridge.
Individuals residing at The Bridge will be required to sign a “Residential Agreement” that details the expectations and rules of the program (see a sample here). All residents will be expected to refrain from drug/alcohol use or possession while on-site, and they must commit to being safe toward their self and others (no threatening or violent behaviors will be permitted).
Residents of The Bridge are expected to refrain from drug/alcohol use while on the property. Likewise, residents are prohibited from possessing drug and alcohol materials while on-site.
If a resident of The Bridge presents under the influence of substances, they will be permitted to return to their sleeping unit if they do not present as a danger to themselves or anyone else.
Supporting individuals in obtaining stable, permanent housing is the primary objective of The Bridge. In addition, emphasis is placed on connecting residents with the supportive services they need in order to maintain stability.
As part of the Residential Agreement, each resident of The Bridge will commit to keep the area in and around their assigned sleeping unit clean and free of trash and debris. Additionally, residents and HSHM staff will partner in keeping the general grounds clean and well maintained. HSHM facilities staff will primarily be responsible for the upkeep of the grounds and buildings.
HSHM is committed to being a good neighbor, just as it has for the past 100+ years in the community. The Bridge provides a new space for people who would otherwise be sleeping on sidewalks, in parks, and in other public spaces to receive safe, secure shelter thereby reducing the occurrence of unsheltered individuals throughout Bloomington-Normal.
A specific stipulation in the Residential Agreement also prohibits residents from panhandling within a 1 mile radius of The Bridge.
HSHM will staff The Bridge 24-hours a day, every day of the year, with a minimum of 2 staff members working at all times. To enhance safety and security, HSHM staff will conduct routine rounds of the property and monitor the video camera system installed throughout the campus.
HSHM relies on and welcomes the support of caring community members and receives donations at their main locations at 301 & 303 E Oakland Avenue (either at the rear door of the Bread For Life Co-op or at the front desk of the main shelter building). Please take any donations to these locations.
The leadership at HSHM is committed to helping the community understand all aspects of The Bridge and can be reached in the following ways:
-
Matt Burgess, CEO
-
Audrey Cail, Director of Client Services
