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
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 Fair Housing Act
Indiana COVID-19 Housing Update
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced this week that they have extended the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) eviction and foreclosure moratoriums on federally backed single family mortgages through March 31, 2021.
In Indiana, assistance remains available for homeowners who are having difficulty making their mortgage payment. More information can be found at: www.877gethope.org.
The Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC) announced this week that they have also extended the current order temporarily halting residential evictions until at least March 31, 2021. More information about the CDC’s halt in residential evictions, including a list of frequently asked questions, can be found here.
Need rental assistance?
Indiana COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program Applications will be accepted online beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 13, at www.indianahousingnow.org.
If eligible, the program will provide up to $500 in assistance for four months, totaling a maximum of $2,000 to help cover past and ongoing rent payments or late fees.
To be eligible, renters must meet the following criteria, lost their job or part of their income due to COVID-19, current household income, including unemployment, is less than the household income on March 6, have not received rental assistance from another source.
Payments will be made directly to landlords and the landlord must agree to participate. Any renter facing financial hardship and unable to make their rent payment should speak to their property manager right away.
SPANISH
Las solicitudes del Programa de Asistencia de Alquiler COVID-19 de Indiana serán aceptadas en línea a partir de las 9 a.m. del lunes 13 de julio, en www.indianahousingnow.org.
Si es elegible, el programa proporcionará hasta $500 en asistencia por cuatro meses, totalizando un máximo de $2,000 para ayudar a cubrir los pagos de alquiler pasados y continuos o cargos por mora.
Para ser elegible, los inquilinos deben cumplir con los siguientes criterios: Perdió su trabajo o parte de sus ingresos debido a COVID-19, los ingresos actuales de los hogares, incluido el desempleo, son menores que los ingresos del hogar el 6 de marzo, no ha recibido asistencia de alquiler de otra fuente.
Los pagos se realizarán directamente a los propietarios y el arrendador debe aceptar participar. Cualquier inquilino que se enfrentan a dificultades financieras y no puede hacer su pago de alquiler debe hablar con su administrador de la propiedad de inmediato.
For questions regarding the program or to apply, visit www.indianahousingnow.org or for immediate assistance, call 317-800-6000.
Free Human Rights Webinar Series
The Human Rights Commission will be hosting live webinars on topics relating to COVID-19 and Human Rights. Please check the list of dates below for the link to join the webinars. Topics and speakers are subject to change and are listed below.
Please call the Human Rights Commission with questions about the webinar series.
May 2020 Webinars:
05/05/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: Introduction to South Bend Human Rights Commission and COVID-19 in Housing and Employment
05/12/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: COVID-19: Federal Moratorium
05/19/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: EEOC COVID-19 Update
05/26/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: COVID-19 HUD
June 2020 Webinars:
06/02/2020: Recording Not Available
Topic: WorkOne COVID-19 Employment Resources
06/09/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: Indiana Foreclosure Network Program
06/16/2020: Recording Not Available
Topic: U.S. Department of Labor
06/23/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: Housing Legal Update
PowerPoint Presentation: Housing Legal Update_English Version | Housing Legal Update_Spanish Version
July 2020 Webinars:
07/14/2020: Recording Not Available
Topic: Race and Culture: The Basics
07/21/2020: Recording Not Available
Topic: Programming via Proteus
07/28/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the ADA
August 2020 Webinars:
08/11/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: IHCDA Programming and Indiana Rental Assistance with Indiana State Senator David Niezgodski
08/25/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: Youth Labor
September 2020 Webinars:
09/08/2020: Watch the Webinar Here
Topic: LGBTQ Equality with Marjorie W. Schaeffer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences at St. Mary’s College
For Kids
Check out the Adventures of Liberty and Justice!
Download The Adventures of Liberty and Justice comic book.
Special Remarks:
A Statement from Commissioner Penny Hughes, Chairperson of the Women’s Concerns Committee:
“On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified and signed into law by the Secretary of State on August 26, 2020, known today as Women’s Equality Day, ending the long and hard-fought campaign to win women the right to vote. We call on all women to honor the suffragists who fought to gain your right to vote by taking action this election and making a commitment to vote.
Today we commemorate this day where women not only cast ballots but can also vote for women, too!”
A Statement from the Commission on the anniversary of the ADA:
“This July marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. It was signed into law on July 26th, 1990, by George H.W. Bush. The South Bend Human Rights Commission would like to memorialize this landmark event of progress in access and inclusion in our workplaces and communities. This Civil Rights law provides that all persons should have equal protections and rights. The SBHRC is pleased to take part in this observance and reaffirm our commitment to the disabled community by providing resources and support. We further pledge to continue our efforts to spread the message that it’s about what people CAN do, and not limiting people because of what they CAN’T do.”
ADA Award Presentation:
In honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Human Rights Commission presented Ms. Karen Brandy-Comer and Mr. Kent Lauderman with awards in recognition of their efforts in the disability community. The awards were presented in small ceremonies on July 24, 2020.
(From Left to Right) HRC Director Of Housing Diana Moya, HRC Director of Employment Crystal McCain, Mr. Kent Lauderman, Diversity and Inclusion Officer Michael Patton, Mr. Ed Buras
(From Left to Right) HRC Director of Housing Diana Moya, HRC Director of Employment Crystal McCain, Ms. Karen Brandy-Comer, Diversity and Inclusion Officer Michael Patton
A Statement on Race and Equity from the St. Joseph Circuit, Superior, and Probate Courts:
http://www.sjcparks.org/259/Courts
St. Joseph County Board Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis – Resolution #01-2020
Commission remarks on a proposed HUD rule:
In the Fall of 2019, the South Bend Human Rights Commissioners expressed concerns to HUD about the harsh effects a proposed rule would have on progress for housing equality. It is refreshing to know that national banks and lenders have joined civil rights groups to oppose the proposed rule. Perhaps this corporate constituency will move HUD to reconsider enactment of this rule.
