The South Bend Home Improvement Program (SBHIP) provides assistance for home repairs such as roof, furnace, electrical, or plumbing.  The SBHIP also helps with exterior structural repairs that will make a positive impact on the neighborhood.

The SBHIP provides either a grant or a loan/grant combination to make needed repairs on homes. Eligibility for assistance is based upon total household income.

Applicants that are eligible for a full grant may receive up to $17,000 in repairs.  If the cost of needed repairs exceeds the $17,000 grant amount, an additional $5,000 can be awarded in the form of a due-upon-sale mortgage loan.  The mortgage loan that is due upon sale has no monthly payments and 0% interest; the balance is due when the home is sold, the owner no longer resides in the home, or upon death of the owner.

Applicants that are eligible for the loan/grant combination may receive up to $34,000 in repairs, with 50% in the form of a grant.  The interest rate of the mortgage loan is 0% and the maximum term is 20 years or 240 months.  The SBHIP loan amount, plus all loans secured by the home, cannot exceed the appraised value of the home.

Eligibility Requirements for the South Bend Home Improvement Program:

• PROPERTY: Property must be located within the city limits of the City of South Bend, the applicant must own the home or in the process of buying the home, and the home must be owner-occupied.  Land contracts must have a balance of $5,000 or less.
• INCOME: An applicant's qualifying income level is based on the total household income and the number of people living in the home as set by HUD income guidelines.  Please contact the office at 574.235.9660 for income guidelines.

Applicants are processed on a first come, first served basis.

If you are interested in the South Bend Home Improvement Program, call 574.235.9660 for details.

Home Improvement Program Statistics: 1998-2007

403 homes were repaired with assistance from the home improvement program during this ten-year period.

• Total CDBG funds invested: $3,673,341
• Grants: $2,624,095
• Loans:  $1,049,315

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• Income Level of Households:
• 69% below 50% of median income
• 25% between 50.1% and 64.9% of median income
• 6% between 65% and 80% of median income
• Marital Status:
• 72% not married
• 28% married
• 65% of participants in the program were Female Head of Household 
• Age of Head of Households:
• 1% between ages 18 to 24
• 22% between ages 25 to 44
• 28% between ages 44 to 64
• 49% age 65 or older
• Household Size:   1.93 per household
• Race/ethnicity:
• 48% Caucasian
• 43% African American
• 6% Hispanics
• 2% Other
• 1% Asian
  

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Community Development
224 W. Jefferson Boulevard • Suite 100
South Bend, IN  46601
574.235.9660 • Fax: 574.235.9697