Welcome to the historic neighborhood of Better Homes of South Bend, where a remarkable chapter in the fight against housing discrimination unfolded. This community stands as a testament to resilience, unity, and the pursuit of equality.
In the early 1950s, a group of African American workers from the Studebaker plant took a bold step to challenge the discriminatory housing practices of the time. Many of these individuals had migrated from the South, seeking to escape the oppressive Jim Crow laws. However, upon arriving in South Bend, Indiana, they were met with federal lending and real estate policies that denied them the ability to secure fair mortgages. This left them confined to dilapidated housing in less desirable areas.
Determined to change this, the workers formed the Better Homes of South Bend, one of Indiana’s earliest African American building cooperatives. To counteract the racist backlash and obstacles they faced, the co-op members operated in secrecy, pooling their resources to acquire land, secure loans, and hire contractors.
By the mid-1950s, their efforts bore fruit as they constructed 22 homes on the 1700-1800 blocks of North Elmer Street. This initiative transformed a previously all-white neighborhood into a vibrant community for African American families. The residents, including prominent figures like Leroy Cobb, who played a significant role in the neighborhood’s development, established a tight-knit community that supported one another.
This neighborhood not only provided homes but also became a place of empowerment and hope. It was a space where children grew up, went to college, and became productive citizens, highlighting the long-term benefits of fair housing. Today, the Indiana Historical Bureau, along with the City of South Bend and the Far Northwest Neighborhood Association, commemorates this site with a historical marker, recognizing the courage and perseverance of those who fought for their right to equal housing.
As you walk or drive past this area, remember the stories of the families who, against all odds, built more than just homes—they built a community and paved the way for future generations.
