McLean County talks housing needs

Some of the findings include a lack of affordable housing, barriers in renting, and a lack of a diverse selection of different housing types. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Rivian and Ferrero have made expansion announcements in the past week.

To accommodate, the McLean County Regional Planning Commission is working to find a solution to the county’s housing needs by adopting a regional housing recovery plan back in March.

Some of the findings include a lack of affordable housing, barriers in renting, and a lack of a diverse selection of different housing types.

Monday’s Normal Town Council meeting began the commission’s tour of presenting its findings. They’re now working to form an implementation committee.

Raymond Lai is the Executive Director of the McLean County Regional Planning Commission and commented on the findings.

“And these are here and we have to, you know, try to tackle as soon as possible. But we also recognize this is a community wide issue. So it takes the whole community to participate in the solution. And so, of course, we also having conversations with the state. We also we were trying to get attention on the federal level and see any help that we can get the way.”

The full plan can be found here.

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