South Bend officials announce new proposals for urban housing

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Officials with the City of South Bend announced two new proposals on Monday designed to support progress in the city's urban neighborhoods.

The Scattered Site Property RFP and the South Bend Infill Development RFP are both part of the New Neighborhood Homes Initiative. The initiative helps support urban neighborhoods by introducing new housing, improving quality of life, and promoting market potential to a wider audience. 

The Infill Development Request for Proposals provides funding to address market challenges that restrict development in South Bend's urban neighborhoods.

Eligible proposers can request up to $750,000 in gap funding to support infill housing on vacant land in the city.

The Scattered Site Request for Proposals is designed to encourage interest in larger South Bend-owned properties and expand the list of potential developers in the city. Eligible proposals should show one way for each site to develop and include expectations on design and site layout.

“I commend the Community Investment team for thinking creatively about how to spur infill housing development and these RFPs are just one piece of our broader housing efforts,” said Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment. “We hope these funding and property opportunities can supplement the Department of Public Works’ Sewer Lateral Reimbursement Program and Community Investment’s Pre-Approved Housing Plans to reduce costs and streamline the process of building infill housing in South Bend’s neighborhoods.”

Click here to learn more about the New Neighborhood Homes Initiative.