The Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) received a $500,000 grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) in the 2019 Spring Round of the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund Competitive Grant Program.
Created in 1973, THDA promotes the production of more affordable housing units for very low to low and moderate income individuals across the state. In addition, THDA promotes the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing units to bring greater stability to the residential construction industry and related industries, assuring a steady flow of production of housing units.
THDA awards funds twice each year to develop and/ or preserve affordable rental housing for the elderly and those with special needs, including persons with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities; individuals recovering from substance addiction; victims of domestic violence; veterans with multiple needs; youth aging out of foster care; and ex-offenders re-entering society.
Eligible applicants are local communities, non-profit agencies, public housing authorities, and development districts.
The CHA plans to renovate 200 units at the Cromwell Hills Apartments, using a variety of funding sources. The CHA will use the award money to offset the expense of this renovation project and will thereby be able to provide 10 apartments to homeless veterans and 10 apartments to people participating in Hamilton County’s FUSE Program.
THDA Executive Director Ralph Perry said, “The Chattanooga Housing Authority is a perfect fit for the award of these funds. We were impressed by their submission and their dedication in providing housing to some of the most deserving populations in Tennessee.
CHA Executive Director Elizabeth McCright noted that the rehabilitation of the 200 units will begin very quickly. “We are honored to be an awardee of $500,000 from THDA. We appreciated the opportunity to compete for the award and are excited about the difference that these funds will make.”