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
& Redevelopment.

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:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR AN APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS

The City of Elkhart, Indiana will submit the 2023 Annual Action Plan and make an application for Community Development Block Grant funds for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The Community Development Block Grant program provides flexible federal funding to assist in the elimination or prevention of slum and blight, address an emergency that threatens the public health and safety, or assist in projects that principally benefit low and moderate-income persons. In accordance with the regulations pertaining to Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the City of Elkhart, Indiana will hold a public hearing to inform citizens of the amount of funds available and the range of eligible activities under the Community Development program, and to provide for citizen input and participation in the development of the application.

The public comment period will be from March 20, 2023 to April 21, 2023. In preparing the final Plan documents, the City will consider any comments or views of citizens or other interested parties that are received during this 30-day period. Public hearings are scheduled for April 4, 2023 at 5:30 pm and April 11, 2023 at 4:00 pm. in the Council Chambers (2nd floor) of the Municipal Building, 229 South Second St., Elkhart Indiana. The Common Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the submittal of the Annual Action Plan at the regularly meeting on May 1, 2023 at 7:00 pm. In addition to these meetings, the public is encouraged to submit any comments or questions in writing by mail to Mary Kaczka at 201 South Second St., Elkhart, Indiana or via email to mary.kaczka@coei.org

Copies of the Draft Annual Action Plan are available at the following locations: City of Elkhart Municipal Building at 229 S Second St., Elkhart Public Library Main Branch at 300 S. Second St., Pierre Moran Branch at 2400 Benham Ave., and Osolo Branch at 3429 East Bristol St. The Draft Annual Plan is also available on the City of Elkhart’s website at www.elkhartindiana.org. Copies of the final plan will be available after April 21, 2023.

Proposed Community Development Objectives

The City of Elkhart’s goals for its Community Development program are to improve the quality of life for its citizens through revitalization and development of its neighborhoods and expanding economic opportunities low and moderate income persons.

Additional Required Information

The following is provided to citizens as information. The City anticipates $713,272 in FY 2023 Community Development Block Grant funds will be used for activities benefiting low and moderate-income persons. The annual allocation award for these funds has not been finalized by the date of this notice and the final Annual Action Plan may be subject to change. Per the Citizen Participation Plan, a substantial amendment is a change in any budget line item of more than 25 percent. Any change in funding that constitutes a substantial amendment will be made public and submitted to HUD consistent with the processes outlined in the Citizen Participation Plan.

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 2023 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 2023 Annual Action Plan will be held at the High Dive Pavilion, 500 E. Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46514.  Notification will be provided if virtual meetings are required.

     Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Schedule for Program Year 2023

January 9, 2023 Mail and email public planning meeting letters, post on City website
January 30, 2023 Public Notice of meeting/hearing to run in the Legal section of the Elkhart Truth
February 7, 2023 Annual Action Plan Public Meeting 9:00 a.m.
February 7, 2023 Annual Action Plan Mandatory Subrecipient Meeting and Training @ 10:30 a.m.
February 7, 2023 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Hearing @ 6:00 p.m.
March 10, 2023 Subrecipient Applications due at 12:00 pm
March 13, 2023 Send Notice of Draft Plan availability to Elkhart Truth
March 17, 2023 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 20, 2023 Start of 30-day Public Comment Period

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

April 4, 2023 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 5:30 pm
April 11, 2023 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 4:00 pm during the regular Redevelopment Commission meeting (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
April 21, 2023 End of 30-day Public Comment Period
May 1, 2023 Annual Action Plan Resolution to Common Council, meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
May 15, 2023 Submit Annual Action Plan to US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Redevelopment

Commission.

.

.

Redevelopment Commission Members
  • Sandi Schreiber, President
  • Wes Steffen, Vice President
  • Alex Holtz, Secretary
  • Gerry Roberts
  • Dina Harris
  • 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 Community Development Block Grant

2023 Annual Action Plan Public Participation Summary

The City of Elkhart is a CDBG entitlement community, but not a recipient of HOME or HOPWA 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 Strategy – 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.
  • Special Needs Population Strategy – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Special Needs populations.
  • Economic Development Strategy – which focuses on improving the earning potential of low and moderate income residents.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy – which focuses on improving the safety and livability of the City’s central neighborhoods referred to as the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA).

The 2023 Annual Action Plan meetings will be held at Hive Dive Pavilion, 500 E. Beardsley, Elkhart, IN 46516.

     Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Schedule for Program Year 2023
January 9, 2023 Mail and email public planning meeting letters, post on City website
January 30, 2023 Public Notice of meeting/hearing to run in the Legal section of the Elkhart Truth
February 7, 2023 Annual Action Plan Public Meeting 9:00 a.m.
February 7, 2023 Annual Action Plan Mandatory Subrecipient Meeting and Training @ 10:30 a.m.
February 7, 2023 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Hearing @ 6:00 p.m.
March 10, 2023 Subrecipient Applications due at 12:00 pm
March 13, 2023 Send Notice of Draft Plan availability to Elkhart Truth
March 17, 2023 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 20, 2023 Start of 30-day Public Comment Period

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

April 4, 2023 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 5:30 pm
April 11, 2023 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 4:00 pm during the regular Redevelopment Commission meeting (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
April 21, 2023 End of 30-day Public Comment Period
May 1, 2023 Annual Action Plan Resolution to Common Council, meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
May 15, 2023 Submit Annual Action Plan to US Department of Housing and Urban Development

For more information contact Dana Donald at

(574) 294-5471 Ex 1014 or email dana.donald@coei.org

.

.

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
& Rdvlpmt.

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 George Byers at George.Byers@coei.org 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 final plans will be approved by City Council on May 2, 2022 and will be submitted to HUD for approval on May 13, 2022.


City of Elkhart Community Development Block Grant

Program Year 2022 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 2022 Annual Action Plan will be held at the High Dive Pavilion, 500 E. Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46514.  Notification will be provided if virtual meetings are required.

     Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Schedule for Program Year 2022
February 10, 2022 Mail and email public planning meeting letters, post on City website
February 14, 2022 Public Notice of meetings to run in the Legal section of the Elkhart Truth
February 28, 2022 Annual Action Plan Mandatory Subrecipient Meeting and Training @ 9:00 a.m.
March 1, 2022 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Meeting @ 10:00 a.m.
March 1, 2022 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Hearing @ 5:30 p.m.
March 17, 2022 Subrecipient Applications due at 12:00 pm
March 21, 2022 Send Notice of Draft Plan availability to Elkhart Truth
March 25, 2022 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 25, 2022 Start of 30-day Public Comment Period

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

April 12, 2022 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 4:00 pm during the regular Redevelopment Commission meeting (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
April 18, 2022 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 5:30 pm
April 25, 2022 End of 30-day Public Comment Period
May 2, 2022 Annual Action Plan Resolution to Common Council, meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
May 13, 2022 Submit Annual Action Plan to US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Redevelopment

Commission.

.

.

Redevelopment Commission Members
  • Sandi Schreiber, President
  • Wes Steffen, Vice President
  • Alex Holtz, Secretary
  • Gerry Roberts
  • Dina Harris
  • 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
      • Mike Huber, Director of Development Services  574-294-5717 ext. 1061, 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 – This program provides assistance to current homeowners to repair their homes. Acceptance of applications is now suspended as of September 30, 2022

Please contact Laura Miller at (574) 294-5471 X1022 or laura.miller@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 Community Development Block Grant

2022 Annual Action Plan Public Participation Summary

The City of Elkhart is a CDBG entitlement community, but not a recipient of HOME or HOPWA 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 2015-2020 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 Strategy – 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.
  • Special Needs Population Strategy – which provides assistance to agencies for meeting the needs of Elkhart’s Special Needs populations.
  • Economic Development Strategy – which focuses on improving the earning potential of low and moderate income residents.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy – which focuses on improving the safety and livability of the City’s central neighborhoods referred to as the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA).

The 2022 Annual Action Plan meetings will be held at Hive Dive Pavilion, 500 E. Beardsley, Elkhart, IN 46516.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2022 Annual Action Plan (AAP) will be available soon.

     Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Schedule for Program Year 2022
February 10, 2022 Mail and email public planning meeting letters, post on City website
February 14, 2022 Public Notice of meetings to run in the Legal section of the Elkhart Truth
February 28, 2022 Annual Action Plan Mandatory Subrecipient Meeting and Training @ 9:00 a.m.
March 1, 2022 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Meeting @ 10:00 a.m.
March 1, 2022 Annual Action Plan Public Planning Hearing @ 5:30 p.m.
March 17, 2022 Subrecipient Applications due at 12:00 pm
March 21, 2022 Send Notice of Draft Plan availability to Elkhart Truth
March 25, 2022 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 25, 2022 Start of 30-day Public Comment Period

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

April 12, 2022 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 4:00 pm during the regular Redevelopment Commission meeting (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
April 18, 2022 Public Comment Meeting for Draft Plan at 5:30 pm
April 25, 2022 End of 30-day Public Comment Period
May 2, 2022 Annual Action Plan Resolution to Common Council, meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
May 13, 2022 Submit Annual Action Plan to US Department of Housing and Urban Development

For more information contact Laura Miller at

(574) 294-5471 Ex 1022 or email laura.miller@coei.org

.

.

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 Laura Miller at (574) 322-4831 or by email  laura.miller@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!

Please plan to attend at the High Dive Park Pavilion at 500 E Beardsley Avenue Elkhart Indiana, February 28, 2022 From 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

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.