Regional Housing Collaborative

The Regional Housing Collaborate (RHC) is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to strengthening our communities across St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties. We're tackling two critical challenges that impact the well-being and economic vitality of our region:

Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Northern Indiana by transforming vacant properties into thriving homes, and by increasing access to attainable housing for working families, first-time homebuyers, and low-income residents

Our Journey to Collaboration

Economic shifts, changing demographics, and decades of underinvestment in key areas have all contributed to a growing housing crisis. Across St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties, communities face shared challenges that don’t stop at city or county lines. From severe shortage of attainable homes to thousands of vacant, abandoned, and deteriorating properties.

Recognizing that no single municipality could solve these issues alone, leaders from across the region came together to craft a unified strategy. Their efforts were galvanized by a $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Through extensive planning, regional housing studies, and dedicated partnerships, the Regional Housing Collaborate was formed. Our aim is to create sustainable, long-term solutions that benefit all residents and build more resilient communities.

The numbers are stark: our region is facing a deficit of more than 15,000 attainable housing units, while over 2,000 blighted properties drain public resources, and negatively impact neighborhood. This collaborative exists to change that. Led by the Community Foundations of St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties, in partnership with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), we are creating a Regional Land Bank and a Regional Affordable Housing Investment Fund to revitalize communities, stabilize neighborhoods, and increase housing access.

Regional Housing Study 2024 Implementation Plan

Key Programs Driving Our Impact

Regional Affordable Housing Investement Fund

The Regional Affordable Housing Investment Fund (RAHIF) is a flexible and powerful financial engine, strategically capitalized to accelerate the creation, preservation, and accessibility of attainable housing throughout St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties. RAHIF aims to bridge critical funding gaps, incentivize development, and support residents on their path to stable housing. The revolving loan fund is divided into three programs:

  • Buy: Single-Family Purchase Mortgages - providing accessible mortgage options to help individuals and families, particularly those with low to moderate incomes, achieve homeownership. These loans aim to reduce financial barriers to purchasing a home within our communities.
  • Build: Bridge Loans & Construction Financing - offering vital short-term bridge loans and comprehensive construction financing to non-profit developers. This ensures that new affordable housing developments, including single-family homes and multi-family units, can move from concept to completion, increasing our region’s housing supply.
  • Keep: Mortgage Refinance Loans for Renovation or Repair - supporting existing homeowners by providing refinancing options specifically for critical renovation and repairs. This helps preserve the quality and safety of existing housing stock, prevents displacement, and ensures homes remain valuable assets in their neighborhoods.

The RAHIF is overseen by an Advisory Committee comprising appointed members from each of the mayors of Elkhart, Goshen, Mishawaka, South Bend, and Plymouth; an appointment each from the Community Foundations in Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph Counties; and an appointment from the South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership.

Learn More

Regional Land Bank

Addressing the blight of vacant and abandoned properties is central to revitalizing our neighborhoods. The Regional Land Bank serves as a strategic tool to efficiently manage and repurpose these underutilized assets. Its functions include:

  • Strategic Acquisition: Acquiring properties that are tax-delinquent, abandoned, or no longer serving a productive purpose.
  • Property Management: Holding and maintaining properties to prevent further deterioration and stabilize neighborhoods.
  • Facilitated Redevelopment: Preparing properties for responsible redevelopment, often paving the way for new affordable housing, green spaces, or community facilities.

More information about this program coming soon.