Portage Township Trustee Office

Here for you in your time of need.

2026 Community Survey Results

After hundreds of responses, you made your voices heard from across the community. We want you to know we are listening, and your feedback will help shape the future of the Portage Township Trustee Office. Thank you to everyone who participated in letting us know the critical issues they face as residents every day. To access the results of our 2026 Community Survey, please click on the button below.

WHo we are

The Portage Township Trustee Office is committed to helping individuals and families facing moments of crisis in our community.

Our goal is to help as many people as possible build stronger futures for themselves.

Stop by our office located at 340 Columbia Street in downtown South Bend, just behind the post office, or give us a call at 574-233-2126.

How we can help

The Portage Township Trustee’s Office is responsible for providing financial assistance to qualifying township  residents in need in accordance with Indiana state statute and eligibility standards and procedures adopted annually by the Portage Township Board.

Family Housing Assistance

Rental and Housing Assistance

We can help provide aid for housing, mobile homes, apartments, or the rooms in which you live. 

Utility bills

Utility Assistance

We can help with the payment of water, gas, sewer, heating, and electric services. We may also be able to help with the payment of delinquent bills to prevent termination or to restore terminated service.

Lady receiving assistance from Portage Township Trustee

Miscellaneous

If applicable, we can provide assistance with certain food costs, baby essentials, clothing, cremation services, and specific medical services.

Success Story

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts and doing the right things, a crisis hits, and you need a little help. That’s where we step in.Listen to how the Cooper family was able to overcome their temporary setback and can now enjoy a brighter future with a little help from the Portage Township Trustee.

Get In Touch

Fill out the form below with your contact information and a brief message and someone at the Portage Township Trustee will review your message and follow-up if necessary. Please make sure to leave a phone number and/or email address in the “Message” section to allow a member of our staff to contact you.

Applications for Township Assistance must be done in person by visiting our office and cannot be done by using this form.

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By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Portage Township. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.

Portage Township - St. Joseph County

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Portage Township represents the majority of the city of South Bend. Jason Critchlow is the current Portage Township Trustee.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Community Survey Town Hall and took the time to share what you’re experiencing in your everyday lives.From housing and rising costs to access to resources, financial pressures, and the challenges that families and individuals face day after day, your stories, concerns, and ideas help us better understand what our community truly needs.These conversations aren’t always easy, but they are incredibly important. Listening is where meaningful change begins.We’re grateful to everyone who showed up, spoke up, asked questions, and shared their perspective. Your participation helps ensure that the issues affecting our neighbors remain at the center of the conversation.Thank you for being part of the discussion, and for continuing to help us build a stronger, more responsive Portage Township. 💙 ...
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📣 IT’S TOWN HALL DAY! 🏛️Your voice helped shape our 2026 Community Survey, and tonight, we’re talking about what you told us.Join Trustee Jason Critchlow as he shares the key findings from this year’s survey, discusses what residents said matters most and answers your questions.Your feedback. Your questions. Your township.📍 IN-PERSON TOWN HALL🗓️ TODAY: Wednesday, September 2⏰ 5:00 – 6:00 PM📌 SJC Library – Leighton Auditorium304 S. Main Street, South BendCan’t make it tonight? No problem!Join us virtually tomorrow, Thursday, September 3 at 7 PM, with a link in the comments below!👇👇👇Portage Township residents, the results are in! Our 2026 Community Survey gave us a lot to think about, and now we’re bringing those conversations straight to you.Join Trustee Jason Critchlow next week for our Portage Township Town Hall, where we’ll:✔️Break down what YOU told us✔️Highlight the biggest takeaways from the survey✔️Talk about what they mean for the direction of our office✔️Answer your questions, yes, even the tough ones!📍 IN PERSON: Wednesday, September 2 | 5–6 PMSt. Joseph County Library – Leighton Auditorium304 S. Main Street, South Bend💻 VIRTUAL: Thursday, September 3 | 7 PMwww.facebook.com/events/1593480415565084Come hear the results. Let’s talk Portage Township. ...
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CONTACT

Township Office:
340 Columbia Ave
South Bend, IN 46601

O: (574) 233-2126
F: (574) 233-2144
info@portagetownship71.in.gov