Beacon's dream to support unhoused begins, but lots of fundraising remains for new facility

Forrest Gilmore’s dream of a central location for an overnight shelter, supported housing and social service agencies for Bloomington’s unhoused population may come true.

The possibility has gained momentum with a $7 million state housing grant and the purchase of land on Third Street just west of downtown, for a new homebase providing homeless people life-altering services.

Beacon Inc. bought the 4.2-acre Weddle Brothers Construction site, which has a 7,720-square-foot office building and warehouse that will be razed, for $2.1 million. The city has granted zoning approval for the project.

The next phase and the focus of Beacon Inc.’s battle against homelessness in Bloomington is, like so many things, rooted in money. Gilmore, Beacon’s executive director, won’t say how much.

“It’s substantial,” he said in a recent interview. “We’re still working it out. Even with the $7 million, there’s a long way to go.”

Monroe County government showed its support in March, donating half a million dollars to the planned Beacon Center. “This is a big step forward,” Gilmore said then.

An all-out fundraising campaign soon will be underway. Instead of seeking emergency funding to keep a patchwork of shelters and services operating, donors to this campaign have a chance to contribute to a solid and more effective solution to issues that sometimes defy solving.

Gilmore said Beacon is taking “a stair-step approach” to fundraising, seeking financial support first from local governments, then community foundations, tax credits and maybe federal home loan bank funding “in order to get as much money as we can.”

After that? “We go to the community,” Gilmore said, to individuals and small organizations with an interest in helping the plans become a reality.

The $7 million grant, the maximum available to Beacon, comes from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, a government agency that provides opportunities for housing and promotes self-sufficiency in the state. The money comes from federal American Rescue Plan Act pandemic funding.

Beacon’s proposed two-story, 45,000-square-foot facility is expected to include: a 50-bed overnight shelter; a resource center with employment, mental health and substance use help; and 25 on-site apartments for chronically homeless people diagnosed with a disability, including substance use disorder. Five of the apartments will be occupied by residents who work for the center in exchange for housing.

Apartments and an administrative office would be on the second level, Gilmore said, with the overnight shelter, a resource center, showers, cafeteria and offices for social service agencies on the main floor.

Gilmore envisions a health clinic, a probation office, downtown resources officers and other services to be located at the center. “We’re not certain yet who all will be there, but it’s super exciting to think about.”

His optimism in tinged with the daunting task of raising millions to bring the Beacon Center to fruition.

“We’re focused on the opportunities this will bring,” Gilmore said from the current over-crowded Shalom Center on South Walnut Street, which likely will close when the new site opens. “There’s a lot of joy around here these days.”

He said the time frame for completing construction is contingent on raising enough money, however much that is, to fully fund the project. “We’re hopeful for the fall of 2026 to move in,” Gilmore said. “If all goes well.”

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Beacon Inc. seeks donations to fund dream facility to support unhoused