We provide service to the citizens of South Bend through impartial, unbiased decisions regarding discrimination charges filed with the South Bend Human Rights Commission under the ordinance in areas of employment, housing, public accommodation and education, based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability and in housing familial status.

COVID-19 RESPONSE: Following recommendations from the Indiana State Department of Health, the South Bend Human Rights Commission will not be accepting walk-ins beginning Friday, March 20, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The Commission will continue business operations and will continue to take calls and other correspondence. Please call the Commission with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

General Inquiry Form

By filling out this form, you are only submitting a general inquiry and not filing a charge or making a report.

If you need immediate assistance, please call the Commission at 574-235-9355.

Commission Information

View the South Bend Human Rights Commission Ordinance

View the South Bend Human Rights Commission Rules and Regulations

View the Fair Housing Act

Need rental assistance?

The state’s Rental Assistance Portal opened this week to begin accepting applications for the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program. A link to apply along with a series of informational documents in English and Spanish can be found on the top banner of www.indianahousingnow.org.

View the information shown below in PDF format:

English

Spanish

The IERA program is designed to decrease evictions, increase housing stability, and prevent homelessness by helping renters whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 with rent and utility assistance. IERA can provide eligible renter households with up to 12 months of rental assistance.

Qualifying applicants may also receive utility assistance for past due utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash), home energy (fuel oil, wood, coal, pellets, and propane) expenses, and assistance with past due expenses for internet/broadband.

Renters living in Elkhart, Hamilton, Lake, Marion, and St. Joseph counties, along with the City of Fort Wayne are not eligible to apply for the IERA program. These municipalities have their own programs. Referral information can be found below:

None of these local programs are accepting applications yet. However, each municipality has informed us they plan to do so later this month. Renters living in these areas should visit their respective website for additional information and updates as they become available.

In addition to rental assistance, other COVID-19 resources remain available for Indiana households:

Mortgage Assistance – Indiana homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments can apply for mortgage assistance through the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN): 877gethope.org
Utility Assistance – The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Hoosier homeowners and renters pay their heat and electric bills: eap.ihcda.in.gov
Coronavirus Eviction & Foreclosure Prevention Guide – This guide provides questions to frequently asked questions and resources for Indiana households financially impacted by COVID-19 to help them avoid eviction or foreclosure: https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4464.htm
COVID-19 Eviction Information Sheet – https://www.in.gov/courts/files/lttf-b-chart.pdf

Helpful Links

	574.235.9355
	319 N. Niles Ave South Bend, Indiana 46617
	Office Hours: Monday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Tuesday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Wednesday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Thursday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Friday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Please call for an appointment - walk-ins not accepted at this time