Momentum Builds for Housing Solutions
2026 Regional Housing Summit addresses housing instability & homelessness.
More than 250 people gathered on April 14 for a day of learning, inspiration and problem-solving at the 2026 Regional Housing Summit: Unlocking Solutions, hosted by Heading Home of South Central Indiana.
“The turnout and energy at our summit reflects a growing recognition that we need to come together to address housing instability and homelessness,” said Mary Morgan, Heading Home’s executive director.
“Housing for all is the foundation of healthy, thriving communities,” she said.
The event brought together advocates, businesses, policymakers, nonprofits, the faith community, landlords, funders, elected officials and people with lived experience. The day was defined by collaboration, urgency, and forward-thinking ideas, facing both the complexity of housing challenges and the growing momentum behind innovative, community-driven solutions.
Breakout sessions were grouped into three central tracks—Connectors, Builders, and Improvers—each offering a distinct lens on housing solutions. Sessions included initiatives like Thriving Connections, which works to address relational poverty by strengthening social networks and community ties.
Additional sessions explored strategies for financing affordable housing, practical approaches to reducing barriers for renters, and the influential role that faith-based organizations can play in addressing homelessness.
Presenters also shared tools to expand affordable housing supply, including land trusts and incremental development models.
A panel discussion featured individuals who have experienced homelessness. Their powerful insights underscored the importance of centering real voices in solution-building, a reminder that effective housing strategies must be shaped by those most directly impacted.
The keynote address by Vu Le energized and inspired attendees with a call for bold thinking and collective ambition. Blending humor with pointed critique, the talk challenged conventional approaches in the nonprofit and housing sectors, urging leaders to embrace equity, collaboration, and imagination in tackling entrenched issues. Watch Vu’s keynote here.
“What stood out most was the shared commitment to real, actionable solutions,” Morgan said. “We’re leaving this summit with stronger partnerships, clearer strategies, and a renewed sense of urgency to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home.”
View the summit’s full agenda here.
Heading Home is grateful to the 2026 Regional Housing Summit Sponsors, who made this event possible:
Cornerstone Sponsor: Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County
Housing Solutions Sponsors: Indiana Uplands Realtor Association and Cook Medical/CFC Properties
Systems Change Sponsor: South Central Community Action Program
Housing Advocate Sponsors: Ah HAH! Foundation, Bloomington Rotary Club, City of Bloomington, First Financial, Glick Philanthropies, Summit Hill Community Development Corp.
Community Builder Sponsors: Alan Blankstein, Bloomington Township Trustee, Duke Energy Foundation, First United Church, IU Credit Union, IU Health, mStreet Fiber, Bill & Kathleen Oliver, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Shine Insurance
Neighborhood Ally Sponsors: Brawley Property Management, Trent Deckard for County Commissioner, Downtown Bloomington Inc., New Hope for Families, Erika Oliphant for Prosecutor, Trinity Episcopal Church, Kate Wiltz
