DCI Annual Report 2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR During 2024, our team: • Issued 13 low-interest loans totaling $2.5 million to support the growth of small businesses. Most of the loan recipients are minority-owned and more than a third are women-owned. • Unlocked $40 million in private investment through issuance of new tax phase-ins and created or retained nearly 3,000 jobs from businesses that received tax-phase ins previously. • Facilitated the adopƟ on of 378 animals at the South Bend Animal Resource Center. • Provided funding to operate emergency overnight shelter for unhoused residents during the coldest months of the year through a partnership with the Center for the Homeless. • Leveraged 2 forgivable loans to fund the construcƟ on of more than 120 infi ll housing units in disinvested neighborhoods. • Conducted 774 inspecƟ ons to ensure basic habitability standards for tenants as part of the Rental Safety Verifi caƟ on Program. • Provided more than $420,000 in matching grants to acƟ vate and beauƟ fy business exteriors, unlocking $967,000 in total project costs. • Removed nearly 1.5 million pounds of liƩ er and debris and assisted with 23 neighborhood cleanups. • ConƟ nued neighborhood planning processes with LaSalle Park and River Park residents and held resident engagement sessions for planned redevelopment in the Portage Elwood area and along Western Avenue. • Facilitated more than $600,000 in public and private investment for energy effi ciency and Dear Neighbor, In 2024, the Community Investment team conƟ nued the important work to spur growth in South Bend that posiƟ vely impacts all residents. Our team made major strides in resolving longstanding blighted proper Ɵ es, developed new programming to support small businesses, supported service providers who assist our most vulnerable residents, and led planning processes to envision the long-term future of our community. Our team also worked on a daily basis to ensure our neighborhoods are safe, clean, and prosperous.