South Bend Heritage Foundation (SBHF) is a not-for-profit community development corporation that was established in July 1974 to help reverse the physical and social decline taking place in South Bend’s urban neighborhoods.

SBHF’s earliest work involved preservation of historic homes and creating a national historic district in the West Washington neighborhood. Other projects included rehabilitating homes for resale, house moves, and operating a loan fund that helped over 35 owners restore their homes.

Since 1992, SBHF has created (and managed) more than 275 affordable rental-housing units. SBHF’s commercial projects have also spurred new retail and office activity in the inner city.

SBHF has invested $35 million in residential and commercial projects in urban South Bend. This figure includes purchasing and rehabilitation of the Colfax Cultural Center (1986), the Charles Martin Your Center (1995), and Blume’s block (2000) into the “Colfax Campus”

Major residential projects include Dunbar Corner (1992), West Washington Place (1993), Robertson’s (1997), North Side Terrace (1998), the Chapin Market (1997-2000) and Hammes-MaryCrest Building (2002) and West Washington Neighborhood and Spruce St. Subdivision.

While SBHF has long been known for its sensitive residential rehabilitation projects and new single-family home construction activities, commercial real estate development is of equal importance.

Lending Enterprise for Neighborhood Development (LEND) became an important component to of SBHF’s effort in developing affordable homes within the urban community. LEND a non-profit corporation owned by SBHF provides technical assistance to to home buyers.


Beyond physical development, SBHF fosters arts/cultural programs and youth development activities and is an advocate for neighborhoods. SBHF’s diverse 25-member board is made up of both neighborhood residents and professionals from the wider community with valuable skills.

In 2002 SBHF became a chartered member of the Neighborhood Reinvestment (NR) NeighborWorks® network.
 

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