Updates from the chapter
Historic preservation should not be abused to stymie new housing. Given Bloomington's significant housing shortage, completely ruling out new development in a walkable neighborhood right next to IU's campus is just bad policy. If you live east of campus in Green Acres or know anyone who does, we urge you to sign on to our letter at the link in our bio.
Shaping 5 Bloomington Neighborhoods
(Opinion by Matt Gleason): 5 important places in Bloomington could be the centers of their own neighborhoods
Ending Brain Drain in Bloomington
(Opinion by Matt Gleason): Cost-effective strategies to improve Bloomington's job market
https://t.co/lPqWDYqibF Really buries the lead at the end: "We just don’t want something like that in our backyard." Please show up if you live in the Bloomington area and want to help push back against the HPC's (Historical Preservation Committee) demolition delay!
Action item alert 🚨🚨🚨 Bloomington is seeking public comment on the initial design concepts to improve safety for all road users along Indiana Avenue. Swipe through to see the designs and check the link in our bio for the city's survey! The survey is open until August 4.
Commerical to residential conversion is one of the most effective ways to create more housing and revitalize our communities for people.
Light rail, without a doubt.
Shout out to our neighbors for spearheading the pro-housing movement in one of the coolest cities and states in the country!
We joined Bloomington staff and dozens of members of the public a few weeks ago to discuss improving safety for all street users along Indiana Avenue in the heart of Bloomington. This street bridges town and gown and thousands of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists use it daily. Indiana Avenue has seen several severe accidents in the last few years so something is clearly broken with the current…
We joined @BloomPlanTrans staff and dozens of residents a few weeks ago to discuss improving safety for all street users along Indiana Ave. Housing and land use are intrinsically linked to equitable transportation, and our members will continue to advocate for both. https://t.co/ejBjpsIEki
Modernizing Bloomington’s Building Codes for Architectural Freedom, Sustainability, and Fire Safety
Our proposal to allow the single-stair buildings of Seattle in Bloomington
Our next target? Bloomington's UDO (Unified Development Ordinance)! Check out Matt Gleason's blog post on this very topic on the YIMBY-ana website: https://t.co/9mtzh19HPW
Events
Yes! The 2026 YIMBYTown Happy Hour
About YIMBYana
Yes, In My Back Yard!
At YIMBYana, we advocate for housing affordability in all forms in Indiana, as well as housing-adjacent issues like urban transit and sustainability. We were founded by in 2024 in Bloomington, one of the most expensive cities in Indiana. We hope to make Bloomington, and eventually all of Indiana, affordable and livable by reducing exclusionary zoning, improving walkability, and removing barriers to market-rate and affordable housing.
Our Work
Summit District
In May 2024, YIMBYana founder Kyle Davis spoke in the City Council meeting that ended with the approval of 4,250 new homes on the Southwest side of Bloomington. This was a major step forward in addressing Bloomington's demand for housing.
Bloomington Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Amendment
In June 2024, we worked with Stronger B-Town to put together and submit a thorough proposal to address excessive barriers to housing in the city's UDO. The central goals were to legalize "missing middle" housing, create walkable neighborhoods, promote affordable housing options, and reduce the costs of building new homes in Bloomington. You can find the details here.
How we work
Reform the rules
Back zoning reform and streamlined permitting so more homes are legal to build, especially near transit and jobs.
Educate & engage
Turn out residents to the meetings that matter and make it easy to take a pro-housing position on local projects.
Build partnerships
Work with neighbors, labor, faith groups, and builders toward a shared abundant-housing agenda.
YIMBYana is a chapter of YIMBY Action.
One of the local groups organizing for more homes across the country, backed by the national team.