South Bend Heritage unveils brand new neighborhood on East Side

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A major milestone in affordable housing was celebrated Tuesday as the South Bend Heritage Foundation unveiled its largest development to date, SB Thrive, a $15.1 million project aimed at easing the city’s low-income housing shortage.

Located off McKinley Avenue on South Bend’s far east side, the newly constructed neighborhood features 54 income-qualified units ranging from one to four bedrooms, with monthly rents between $900 and $1,300.

18 buildings include a mix of duplexes and townhomes designed to meet a variety of needs.

The development transforms the area that was previously untouched since South Bend’s founding, into a vibrant residential community, complete with new infrastructure made possible through local and state partnerships.

“This neighborhood is proof of what we can do when so many people come together,” said Marco Mariani, executive director of the South Bend Heritage Foundation.

Among the 54 families that will call SB Thrive home are soon to be residents Summer Yates and Andrew Strasser who say they look forward to building memories in the neighborhood with their young son.

“This is where he’s gonna grow up and thrive and be a part of society, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Strasser.

The family expects to move in fully within the next month, just in time to celebrate the holidays and their son’s birthday.

South Bend Heritage hopes to use the neighborhood as a model for future projects.

Units at SB Thrive are still available for eligible applicants. For more information on how to apply, reach out to South Bend Heritage.