SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Community leaders and housing advocates gathered Sunday at Bethlehem Baptist Church, urging residents and elected officials to take stronger action to protect tenants facing unsafe living conditions.

The workshop, organized by We Make Indiana — a coalition of more than 130 congregations — focused on holding landlords accountable and pushing for policy changes in South Bend.

Speakers shared testimony from residents living in substandard housing, including conditions at Karl King Tower, a building that serves people 55 and older or those with disabilities.

“Karl King Tower specifically has no heat for two months this winter. Also their elevators are consistently broken,” said Amy Houghtaling, a volunteer leader with We Make Indiana.

Advocates described one resident enduring the winter without heat, only to receive notice on New Year’s Day that their rent would increase.

“We are here to ask our public officials to keep negligent landlords accountable in our area,” Houghtaling said.

South Bend Mayor James Mueller did not attend the event, but his chief of staff, Darryl Scott, read a statement on his behalf. The statement said housing would be the mayor’s top priority in the next legislative session, and that he is committed to meeting with members of We Make Indiana in the next 60 to discuss the next steps of ensuring tenant protections.

Local officials, including South Bend Common Council President Canneth Lee and Portage Township Trustee Jason Critchlow, also indicated support for working with the group on proposed initiatives.

Advocates are calling for the city to collect outstanding fines against property owners and to amend local ordinances to emphasize proactive inspections rather than relying on tenant complaints.