SoutheastNeighborhoodStrategicActionPlan_January1995_Current

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Southeast Quality of Life Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan INTRODUCTION The Southeast Neighborhood is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the City of South Bend. It developed and prospered with the development of the Studebaker Motor Company and South Bend's heavy manufacturing base. in tandem with the adjacent employment area, the Southeast has declined as the inner city manufacturing base eroded and jobs declined, disappeared and relocated. The loss of nearby employment changed this neighborhood forever. With the loss of jobs, those of prime employment age who found jobs elsewhere soon left the neighborhood. Those who could not sell their homes rented to others and the decline of the neighborhood began. The neighborhood's diminished buying power led eventually to the loss of important services. Finally, the neighborhood became viewed by residents and outsiders alike, as one in transition. Today the neighborhood could generally be considered stable. The population has declined substantially since its peak in the late 1960's. Statistically the neighborhood has lost about a third of its residents since 1970. As defined by the residents, the neighborhood is about half its former size. Many long-time residents remain, but their fixed incomes and advancing age are visible in homes needing repair and routine maintenance. Joining these long-time residents are new households in which all heads of the household work but primarily at low wage jobs. Many of these families are active in the neighborhood. They moved here because they could afford the homes and wanted to preserve the neighborhood for their families. However, the demands on their time and income of job and family have left little for general upkeep of their property and nothing extra for the major repairs many of the neighborhood's older homes need. These families, in a very real way regard the neighborhood as their future. Most recently, Hispanic -Americans have joined the mix of black and white families, but language and cultural barriers have inhibited their involvement in neighborhood activities. Historically, there has always been a percentage of the neighborhood that was rental housing; primarily this was single family house rental with larger homes being broken up into apartments. A portion of these rental properties are occupied by long-term renters, but increasingly these properties house transients with little regard for the neighborhood. 1