Lincoln Park housing neighborhood breaks ground Friday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Friday morning saw several city officials gather to break ground on the Lincoln Park housing neighborhood that plans to bring over 90 new construction homes in the coming years.

"The multi-year project aims to address the need for affordable housing in South Bend by transforming vacant lots into vibrant new homes, fostering a sense of community and economic stability," said city spokesperson Allison Zeithammer.

The neighborhood will feature homes in multiple price ranges, with roughly 50 percent of the homes to be sold to individuals and/or families making under 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). 

"This partnership with Intend Indiana is an important step toward addressing our housing needs and revitalizing South Bend's west side," said South Bend Mayor James Mueller. "By transforming these vacant lots into quality, affordable housing, we are creating new opportunities for South Bend families to achieve homeownership and build wealth."

The remaining roughly 50 percent of the homes will be split between income levels. About 20 percent will be sold to those earning between 81-120 percent AMI, and the rest will be sold at market rate, "promoting a mixed-income community that supports inclusivity and diversity," city officials said.

“We are thrilled to partner with the City of South Bend to bring these much-needed housing opportunities to Lincoln Park,” shared Intend Indiana Chief Executive Officer Steven Meyer. “This initiative is about more than just building homes—it's about building community and creating economic opportunities for residents of South Bend.”

The Lincoln Park project is partly funded through a $5 million Economic Development Commission Statute Loan and the transfer of city-owned properties.

"This support will help bring new life to vacant lots in historically underserved areas, aligning with the city’s goal of reducing blight and increasing homeownership opportunities for its residents," Zeithammer said. "The project will not only offer new housing but will also engage local contractors and stakeholders throughout the development process, ensuring that the benefits of the project extend beyond housing to include economic opportunities for the broader community."

Construction is set to begin this month and continue through 2029.

The South Bend Redevelopment Commission has approved a $5 million contribution for the project, under the condition that the nonprofit developer will also commit $20 million, "to ensure the successful completion of these homes by 2029," Zeithammer said.