Community Development.

Community Development.

The City of Elkhart Community Development staff is dedicated to working with the citizens of Elkhart and the Redevelopment Commission to help meet the needs of an ever-changing community. From daily interaction with community members to the five-year Consolidated Plan and its annual updates, the Community Development staff works with citizens to create a strong, vibrant Elkhart. We assist citizens with a variety of programs and services as detailed in the Consolidated Plan.
The department also manages the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and other projects for the Elkhart Redevelopment Commission that include the sale of renovated homes and vacant land. The renovated homes provide home ownership opportunities for families and individuals looking for a home with character and charm that can be found in older homes. The vacant land provide new construction opportunities for developers or individuals looking to build a new home or rental units in the City near-downtown neighborhoods.
Boards and Commissions
The City of Elkhart Community Development staff is dedicated to working with the citizens of Elkhart and the Redevelopment Commission to help meet the needs of an ever-changing community. From daily interaction with community members to the five-year Consolidated Plan and its annual updates, the Community Development staff works with citizens to create a strong, vibrant Elkhart. We assist citizens with a variety of programs and services as detailed in the Consolidated Plan.
The department also manages the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and other projects for the Elkhart Redevelopment Commission that include the sale of renovated homes and vacant land. The renovated homes provide home ownership opportunities for families and individuals looking for a home with character and charm that can be found in older homes. The vacant land provide new construction opportunities for developers or individuals looking to build a new home or rental units in the City near-downtown neighborhoods.
Boards and Commissions

Community
Development

For more information see the related pages section below for the list of available properties. If you have questions or are interested in any of the properties, please contact our office for details.

Consolidated

Plan.

.

..

2020-2024 Consolidated Plan

The City of Elkhart is a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to cities and counties to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, and to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Act of 1974.

Draft documents for the Consolidated Plan, effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025, are now available for public comment and review and can be accessed at the links below:

 

The City of Elkhart does not intend to displace any businesses and will engage in residential displacement on a voluntary basis only.


City of Elkhart Community Development Block Grant

Program Year 2024 Annual Action Plan

 Public Participation Schedule

The City of Elkhart is a CDBG entitlement community from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City works with elected officials, appointed committee members, local agencies, neighborhood associations, concerned residents, community leaders, local businesses and other interested parties to develop activities designed to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income residents and increase the safety and attractiveness of the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. Through extensive public participation including public meetings and discussions with agencies serving the needs of low- and moderate-income clients during the development of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, the City of Elkhart has identified several unmet needs in the community. From these needs, it was determined that most could fit within one of the following five areas:

  • Housing Needs – which focuses on meeting the needs of area residents for safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
  • Homeless Needs – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Homeless populations.
  • Non-Homeless Special Needs – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Special Needs populations, including seniors, disabled populations and those living with HIV/AIDs.
  • Economic Development Needs – which focuses on improving the earning potential and wealth building of low and moderate income residents.
  • Neighborhood Development Needs – which focuses on improving neighborhood business districts, infrastructure and public parks and facilities to improve the quality of life within the City’s central neighborhoods.

The meetings for the 2024 Annual Action Plan will be held at the Elkhart Public Library – Downtown, 300 S. Second Street, Elkhart, IN 46516.  Notification will be provided if virtual meetings are required.

January 8, 2024 Mail and email public planning meeting letters, post on City website
January 29, 2024 Public Notice of meeting/hearing to run in the Legal section of the Elkhart Truth
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Public Meeting 9:00 a.m.
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Mandatory Subrecipient Meeting and Training @ 10:30 a.m.
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Hearing @ 5:30 p.m.
March 8, 2024 Subrecipient Applications due at 12:00 pm
March 11, 2024 Send Notice of Draft Plan availability to Elkhart Truth
March 15, 2024 Email notice of Draft Plan availability and public comment meetings, post on City website, distribute hard copies of the plan to the public libraries and Municipal Building
March 18, 2024

Start of 30-day Public Comment Period

Annual Action Plan draft notice to run in the legal section of the Elkhart Truth

April 2, 2024 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 5:30 pm
April 9, 2024 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 4:00 pm during the regular Redevelopment Commission meeting (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
April 19, 2024 End of 30-day Public Comment Period
May 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Resolution to Common Council, meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
May 20, 2024 Submit Annual Action Plan to US Department of Housing and Urban Development

 

Redevelopment

Commission.

.

.

Redevelopment Commission Members
  • Sandi Schreiber, President
  • Wes Steffen, Vice President
  • Dina Harris, Secretary
  • Gerry Roberts
  • Willie L. Brown
  • Dorisanne Nielsen, School Board Advisor
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and Plans
  • Aeroplex Economic Development Plan
  • Cassopolis Street Economic Development Plan
  • Consolidated South Elkhart Redevelopment Plan
  • Downtown Redevelopment Plan
  • Technology Park Redevelopment Plan
Confirming resolutions for TIF districts were passed on the following dates
  • Downtown – February 25, 1986
  • Southwest Industrial – November 14, 2000
  • Aeroplex – November 12, 2002
  • Cassopolis – January 10, 2006
  • Consolidated South Elkhart – November 12, 2013
For information regarding the City of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission, contact
  • Michael Huber, Director of Development Services  574-522-4855 X 1078,  Mike.Huber@coei.org

Housing

Program.

The City of Elkhart offers the following housing programs for low and moderate-income residents of Elkhart:
  

Homeowner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation – Please click the link to complete an application


Please contact Trina Harris, (574) 294-5471 x2077 or trina.harris@coei.org for program specifics or to schedule an initial eligibility interview.


Contractors interested in working on any of the City-funded housing programs need to complete a contractor’s application. Contact Laura Miller for program details.

Community Development Block Grant

City of Elkhart 
Program Year 2023
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
Click below to Review:
PY23 CAPER
 

Contractor

Information.

.

.

The City of Elkhart has home renovation programs funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)  is in need of qualified, professional and detail oriented contractors to perform a variety of housing rehabilitation projects.  They include owner-occupied as well as vacant homes.  To bid on any of the work, a contractor and all of their subcontractors must be on the approved contractor’s list.

To be placed on this list you must complete the contractor’s application  , be a registered entity in SAM.gov (registration is free), and submit all required information.  Once a contractor is approved to participate in this program, they will receive email invitations to submit bids for projects involving their trade.  Project details will be included in the email invitations and are only available through this process.  Bids from contractors that have not been approved and registered with the Community and Redevelopment Department will not be accepted.

The City of Elkhart Community and Redevelopment staff looks forward to working with you to provide safe, sanitary, and attractive affordable housing in our community.

Please contact Trina Harris, (574) 294-5471 x2077 or trina.harris@coei.org

The City of Elkhart Community Redevelopment Department is looking for trades contractors and sub-contractors for our owner-occupied home rehabilitation program.  This information session will provide an overview about working with the city on this important program.  We will cover topics ranging from working with the city, training opportunities, and federal contracting guidelines. We will also provide technical assistance for those contractors who have never worked with federal funding.

Minority-owned and women-owned businesses are highly encouraged to attend!

Elkhart

Housing Strategy.

.

.

The Elkhart Housing Strategy, completed by enFocus in partnership with the City of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission, is now available! The Executive Summary/Implementation Plan and the full document can be accessed at the following link:

Executive Summary and Implementation Plan
Elkhart Housing Strategy (Full Document)

The appendices from the full document can be accessed individually at the following links. Appendices A and B include the financial background for the various development pro formas. Appendix C contains a catalog of financial and other tools necessary to implement the housing strategy:

Appendix A: Pro Forma Methodology
Appendix B: Development Pro Formas
Appendix C: Tools

As part of their contract, enFocus was also responsible for creating a neighborhood marketing and engagement campaign, with elements that could be selected on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis. These appendices can be accessed at the links below:

Appendix D: Sample Resident Survey
Appendix E: Focus Group Script
Appendix F: Focus Group Facilitator’s Guide
Appendix G: Setting up a Neighborhood Page
Appendix H: Sample Marketing Materials

Appendix I includes a summary of findings from Wabash College Democracy and Public Discourse. Wabash College assisted with the housing public meeting, held in March 2019, in the State & Division Neighborhood. Appendix J includes data assumptions for the housing unit projections.

Appendix I: Summary of Wabash College’s Findings
Appendix J: Data Assumptions for Housing Units

Background

In the fall of 2017, the Elkhart Redevelopment Commission retained Zimmerman/Volk Associates to prepare an Analysis of Residential Market Potential for Downtown Elkhart. The study found that, over a 5-year timeframe, Downtown Elkhart alone could support 680 to 880 rental and for-sale housing units. The study further concluded that the City of Elkhart had the potential to attract 4,980 households annually over the next five years.

To address Elkhart’s housing need, the Redevelopment Commission retained enFocus, a nonprofit consulting firm, in the fall of 2018 to develop an infill housing strategy for the City of Elkhart. This yearlong project included best practice research, assessment of a pilot neighborhood, development of a marketing and engagement strategy, and the design of an implementation strategy.

From this strategy, 53 tools have been identified to bridge the development and affordability gaps for housing development. The final report also includes recommended policy changes, as well as education and outreach initiatives to support the overall strategy.

Other enFocus Reports for the Elkhart Housing Strategy
In addition to the final report, enFocus also provided an assessment of the State & Division Neighborhood, as well as a report on best practice strategies for encouraging housing development. These documents can be accessed at the following links:

Assessment of the State & Division Neighborhood
Elkhart Housing Strategy: Phase I Report

Partnerships are critical in the implementation of the City’s housing strategy. This strategy cannot be implemented without the support from the development community, as well as nonprofit partners, private businesses, and other community stakeholders. Stay tuned for the next steps.

Community
Development

For more information see the related pages section below for the list of available properties. If you have questions or are interested in any of the properties, please contact our office for details.

Consolidated

Plan.

.

..

2020-2024 Consolidated Plan

The City of Elkhart is a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to cities and counties to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, and to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Act of 1974.

Draft documents for the Consolidated Plan, effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025, are now available for public comment and review and can be accessed at the links below:

 

The City of Elkhart does not intend to displace any businesses and will engage in residential displacement on a voluntary basis only.


City of Elkhart Community Development Block Grant

Program Year 2024 Annual Action Plan

 Public Participation Schedule

The City of Elkhart is a CDBG entitlement community from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City works with elected officials, appointed committee members, local agencies, neighborhood associations, concerned residents, community leaders, local businesses and other interested parties to develop activities designed to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income residents and increase the safety and attractiveness of the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. Through extensive public participation including public meetings and discussions with agencies serving the needs of low- and moderate-income clients during the development of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, the City of Elkhart has identified several unmet needs in the community. From these needs, it was determined that most could fit within one of the following five areas:

  • Housing Needs – which focuses on meeting the needs of area residents for safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
  • Homeless Needs – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Homeless populations.
  • Non-Homeless Special Needs – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Special Needs populations, including seniors, disabled populations and those living with HIV/AIDs.
  • Economic Development Needs – which focuses on improving the earning potential and wealth building of low and moderate income residents.
  • Neighborhood Development Needs – which focuses on improving neighborhood business districts, infrastructure and public parks and facilities to improve the quality of life within the City’s central neighborhoods.

The meetings for the 2024 Annual Action Plan will be held at the Elkhart Public Library – Downtown, 300 S. Second Street, Elkhart, IN 46516.  Notification will be provided if virtual meetings are required.

January 8, 2024 Mail and email public planning meeting letters, post on City website
January 29, 2024 Public Notice of meeting/hearing to run in the Legal section of the Elkhart Truth
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Public Meeting 9:00 a.m.
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Mandatory Subrecipient Meeting and Training @ 10:30 a.m.
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Hearing @ 5:30 p.m.
March 8, 2024 Subrecipient Applications due at 12:00 pm
March 11, 2024 Send Notice of Draft Plan availability to Elkhart Truth
March 15, 2024 Email notice of Draft Plan availability and public comment meetings, post on City website, distribute hard copies of the plan to the public libraries and Municipal Building
March 18, 2024 Start of 30-day Public Comment Period

Annual Action Plan draft notice to run in the legal section of the Elkhart Truth

April 2, 2024 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 5:30 pm
April 9, 2024 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 4:00 pm during the regular Redevelopment Commission meeting (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
April 19, 2024 End of 30-day Public Comment Period
May 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Resolution to Common Council, meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
May 20, 2024 Submit Annual Action Plan to US Department of Housing and Urban Development

 

Redevelopment

Commission.

.

.

Redevelopment Commission Members
  • Sandi Schreiber, President
  • Wes Steffen, Vice President
  • Dina Harris, Secretary
  • Gerry Roberts
  • Willie L. Brown
  • Dorisanne Nielsen, School Board Advisor
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and Plans
  • Aeroplex Economic Development Plan
  • Cassopolis Street Economic Development Plan
  • Consolidated South Elkhart Redevelopment Plan
  • Downtown Redevelopment Plan
  • Technology Park Redevelopment Plan
Confirming resolutions for TIF districts were passed on the following dates
  • Downtown – February 25, 1986
  • Southwest Industrial – November 14, 2000
  • Aeroplex – November 12, 2002
  • Cassopolis – January 10, 2006
  • Consolidated South Elkhart – November 12, 2013
For information regarding the City of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission, contact
  • Michael Huber, Director of Development Services  574-522-4855 X 1078,  Michael.Huber@coei.org

Housing

Program.

The City of Elkhart offers the following housing programs for low and moderate-income residents of Elkhart:
  

Homeowner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation – Please click the link to complete an application


Please contact Trina Harris, (574) 294-5471 x2077 or trina.harris@coei.org for program specifics or to schedule an initial eligibility interview.


Contractors interested in working on any of the City-funded housing programs need to complete a contractor’s application. Contact Laura Miller for program details.

Community Development Block Grant

City of Elkhart 

Program Year 2024 Annual Action Plan

 Public Participation Schedule

The City of Elkhart is a CDBG entitlement community from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City works with elected officials, appointed committee members, local agencies, neighborhood associations, concerned residents, community leaders, local businesses and other interested parties to develop activities designed to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income residents and increase the safety and attractiveness of the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. Through extensive public participation including public meetings and discussions with agencies serving the needs of low- and moderate-income clients during the development of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, the City of Elkhart has identified several unmet needs in the community. From these needs, it was determined that most could fit within one of the following five areas:

  • Housing Needs – which focuses on meeting the needs of area residents for safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
  • Homeless Needs – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Homeless populations.
  • Non-Homeless Special Needs – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Special Needs populations, including seniors, disabled populations and those living with HIV/AIDs.
  • Economic Development Needs – which focuses on improving the earning potential and wealth building of low and moderate income residents.
  • Neighborhood Development Needs – which focuses on improving neighborhood business districts, infrastructure and public parks and facilities to improve the quality of life within the City’s central neighborhoods.

The meetings for the 2024 Annual Action Plan will be held at the Elkhart Public Library – Downtown, 300 S. Second Street, Elkhart, IN 46516.  Notification will be provided if virtual meetings are required.

January 8, 2024 Mail and email public planning meeting letters, post on City website
January 29, 2024 Public Notice of meeting/hearing to run in the Legal section of the Elkhart Truth
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Public Meeting 9:00 a.m.
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Mandatory Subrecipient Meeting and Training @ 10:30 a.m.
February 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Hearing @ 5:30 p.m.
March 8, 2024 Subrecipient Applications due at 12:00 pm
March 11, 2024 Send Notice of Draft Plan availability to Elkhart Truth
March 15, 2024 Email notice of Draft Plan availability and public comment meetings, post on City website, distribute hard copies of the plan to the public libraries and Municipal Building
March 18, 2024 Start of 30-day Public Comment Period

Annual Action Plan draft notice to run in the legal section of the Elkhart Truth

April 2, 2024 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 5:30 pm
April 9, 2024 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 4:00 pm during the regular Redevelopment Commission meeting (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
April 19, 2024 End of 30-day Public Comment Period
May 6, 2024 Annual Action Plan Resolution to Common Council, meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
May 20, 2024 Submit Annual Action Plan to US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Contractor

Information.

.

.

The City of Elkhart has home renovation programs funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)  is in need of qualified, professional and detail oriented contractors to perform a variety of housing rehabilitation projects.  They include owner-occupied as well as vacant homes.  To bid on any of the work, a contractor and all of their subcontractors must be on the approved contractor’s list.

To be placed on this list you must complete the contractor’s application  , be a registered entity in SAM.gov (registration is free), and submit all required information.  Once a contractor is approved to participate in this program, they will receive email invitations to submit bids for projects involving their trade.  Project details will be included in the email invitations and are only available through this process.  Bids from contractors that have not been approved and registered with the Community and Redevelopment Department will not be accepted.

The City of Elkhart Community and Redevelopment staff looks forward to working with you to provide safe, sanitary, and attractive affordable housing in our community.

Please contact Trina Harris, (574) 294-5471 x2077 or trina.harris@coei.org

The City of Elkhart Community Redevelopment Department is looking for trades contractors and sub-contractors for our owner-occupied home rehabilitation program.  This information session will provide an overview about working with the city on this important program.  We will cover topics ranging from working with the city, training opportunities, and federal contracting guidelines. We will also provide technical assistance for those contractors who have never worked with federal funding.

Minority-owned and women-owned businesses are highly encouraged to attend!

Elkhart

Housing Strategy.

.

.

The Elkhart Housing Strategy, completed by enFocus in partnership with the City of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission, is now available! The Executive Summary/Implementation Plan and the full document can be accessed at the following link:

Executive Summary and Implementation Plan
Elkhart Housing Strategy (Full Document)

The appendices from the full document can be accessed individually at the following links. Appendices A and B include the financial background for the various development pro formas. Appendix C contains a catalog of financial and other tools necessary to implement the housing strategy:

Appendix A: Pro Forma Methodology
Appendix B: Development Pro Formas
Appendix C: Tools

As part of their contract, enFocus was also responsible for creating a neighborhood marketing and engagement campaign, with elements that could be selected on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis. These appendices can be accessed at the links below:

Appendix D: Sample Resident Survey
Appendix E: Focus Group Script
Appendix F: Focus Group Facilitator’s Guide
Appendix G: Setting up a Neighborhood Page
Appendix H: Sample Marketing Materials

Appendix I includes a summary of findings from Wabash College Democracy and Public Discourse. Wabash College assisted with the housing public meeting, held in March 2019, in the State & Division Neighborhood. Appendix J includes data assumptions for the housing unit projections.

Appendix I: Summary of Wabash College’s Findings
Appendix J: Data Assumptions for Housing Units

Background

In the fall of 2017, the Elkhart Redevelopment Commission retained Zimmerman/Volk Associates to prepare an Analysis of Residential Market Potential for Downtown Elkhart. The study found that, over a 5-year timeframe, Downtown Elkhart alone could support 680 to 880 rental and for-sale housing units. The study further concluded that the City of Elkhart had the potential to attract 4,980 households annually over the next five years.

To address Elkhart’s housing need, the Redevelopment Commission retained enFocus, a nonprofit consulting firm, in the fall of 2018 to develop an infill housing strategy for the City of Elkhart. This yearlong project included best practice research, assessment of a pilot neighborhood, development of a marketing and engagement strategy, and the design of an implementation strategy.

From this strategy, 53 tools have been identified to bridge the development and affordability gaps for housing development. The final report also includes recommended policy changes, as well as education and outreach initiatives to support the overall strategy.

Other enFocus Reports for the Elkhart Housing Strategy
In addition to the final report, enFocus also provided an assessment of the State & Division Neighborhood, as well as a report on best practice strategies for encouraging housing development. These documents can be accessed at the following links:

Assessment of the State & Division Neighborhood
Elkhart Housing Strategy: Phase I Report

Partnerships are critical in the implementation of the City’s housing strategy. This strategy cannot be implemented without the support from the development community, as well as nonprofit partners, private businesses, and other community stakeholders. Stay tuned for the next steps.