
Community Development.
Community Development.
.
Welcome.
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.

Welcome.
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.

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 George Byers at George.Byers@coei.org for details.
574-294-5471
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:
- 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan
- 2020 Annual Action Plan Budget
- 2020-2024 Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) Plan
- 2020-2025 Citizen Participation Plan (CPP)
- 2020 Assessment of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
- To prepare the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan, the City undertook an extensive public engagement process to determine the housing and community development needs of its residents, including public meetings, focus groups, individual meetings, online surveys, and other forms of public engagement.
The final plans were approved by City Council on May 4, 2020 and are in the process of being submitted to HUD for approval.
2019 Substantial Amendment for CDBG-CV Funding
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) dated
March 27, 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has
awarded the City of Elkhart $447,978 in Community Development Block Grant
Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus
(COVID-19). The final CDBG-CV budget is as follows:
- Planning and Administration – $35,478
- Aids Ministries/Aids Assist – $16,000 (Food Distribution, Sanitation, Equipment)
- Church Community Services – $150,000 (Emergency Financial Assistance)
- Council on Aging – $11,500 (Transportation Services)
- Faith Mission – $100,000 (Homeless Shelter Expansion)
- Heart City Health – $36,000 (Temporary Testing)
- Lacasa – $13,500 (Sanitation, Minor Building Modifications)
- Minority Health Coalition – $15,500 (Outreach to At-Risk Populations, Sanitation)
- Real Services – $10,000 (Food Distribution)
- St. James AME – $50,000 (Food Distribution, Personal Hygiene)
- YWCA – $10,000 (Sanitation)
Redevelopment
Commission.
.
.
- Sandi Schreiber, President
- Wes Steffen, Vice President
- Alex Holtz, Secretary
- Anthony Coleman
- Kurt Bullard
- Dorisanne Nielsen
-
Aeroplex Economic Development Plan
-
Cassopolis Street Economic Development Plan
- Consolidated South Elkhart Redevelopment Plan
-
Downtown Redevelopment Plan
-
Technology Park Redevelopment Plan
-
Downtown – February 25, 1986
-
Southwest Industrial – November 14, 2000
-
Aeroplex – November 12, 2002
-
Cassopolis – January 10, 2006
- Consolidated South Elkhart – November 12, 2013
-
George Byers, Assistant Director for Community and Redevelopment
574-294-5471 X1061, George.Byers@coei.org - Dana Donald, Office Services 574-294-5471 X1014, Dana.Donald@coei.org
Housing
Program.
..
Neighborhood
Stabilization Program.
.
.
AMI
|
1 person
|
2 persons
|
3 persons
|
4 persons
|
5 persons
|
6 persons
|
very low income (50%)
|
$20,750
|
$23,700
|
$26,700
|
$29,650
|
$32,000
|
$34,400
|
middle income (120%)
|
$49,800
|
$56,950
|
$64,050
|
$71,150
|
$76,850
|
$82,550
|
Contractor
Information.
.
.
The City of Elkhart has home renovation programs funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), and 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 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.
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.
Contact George Byers (george.byers@coei.org) with any questions on the Housing Strategy and how you can get involved!
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.
574-294-5471
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:
- 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan
- 2020 Annual Action Plan Budget
- 2020-2024 Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) Plan
- 2020-2025 Citizen Participation Plan (CPP)
- 2020 Assessment of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
- To prepare the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan, the City undertook an extensive public engagement process to determine the housing and community development needs of its residents, including public meetings, focus groups, individual meetings, online surveys, and other forms of public engagement.
The final plans were approved by City Council on May 4, 2020 and are in the process of being submitted to HUD for approval.
2019 Substantial Amendment for CDBG-CV Funding
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) dated
March 27, 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has
awarded the City of Elkhart $447,978 in Community Development Block Grant
Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus
(COVID-19). The final CDBG-CV budget is as follows:
- Planning and Administration – $35,478
- Aids Ministries/Aids Assist – $16,000 (Food Distribution, Sanitation, Equipment)
- Church Community Services – $150,000 (Emergency Financial Assistance)
- Council on Aging – $11,500 (Transportation Services)
- Faith Mission – $100,000 (Homeless Shelter Expansion)
- Heart City Health – $36,000 (Temporary Testing)
- Lacasa – $13,500 (Sanitation, Minor Building Modifications)
- Minority Health Coalition – $15,500 (Outreach to At-Risk Populations, Sanitation)
- Real Services – $10,000 (Food Distribution)
- St. James AME – $50,000 (Food Distribution, Personal Hygiene)
- YWCA – $10,000 (Sanitation)
Redevelopment
Commission.
.
.
- Sandi Schreiber, President
- Wes Steffen, Vice President
- Alex Holtz, Secretary
- Anthony Coleman
- Kurt Bullard
- Dorisanne Nielsen
-
Aeroplex Economic Development Plan
-
Cassopolis Street Economic Development Plan
- Consolidated South Elkhart Redevelopment Plan
-
Downtown Redevelopment Plan
-
Technology Park Redevelopment Plan
-
Downtown – February 25, 1986
-
Southwest Industrial – November 14, 2000
-
Aeroplex – November 12, 2002
-
Cassopolis – January 10, 2006
- Consolidated South Elkhart – November 12, 2013
-
George Byers, Assistant Director for Community and Redevelopment
574-294-5471 X1061, George.Byers@coei.org - Dana Donald, Office Services 574-294-5471 X1014, Dana.Donald@coei.org
Housing
Program.
..
Neighborhood
Stabilization Program.
.
.
AMI
|
1 person
|
2 persons
|
3 persons
|
4 persons
|
5 persons
|
6 persons
|
very low income (50%)
|
$20,750
|
$23,700
|
$26,700
|
$29,650
|
$32,000
|
$34,400
|
middle income (120%)
|
$49,800
|
$56,950
|
$64,050
|
$71,150
|
$76,850
|
$82,550
|
Contractor
Information.
.
.
The City of Elkhart has home renovation programs funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), and 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 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.
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.
Contact George Byers (george.byers@coei.org) with any questions on the Housing Strategy and how you can get involved!