The Chattanooga Housing Authority has received $900,000 from The National Housing Trust Fund for rehabilitation of 44 units within CHA’s Emerald Villages project.
The National Housing Trust Fund is a federal program administered in the State of Tennessee by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to provide funding for the production, preservation, rehabilitation, and operation of affordable rental housing for extremely low income households. ELI is defined as earning no more than 30 percent of the Area Median Income or the federal poverty limit for the county in which the housing is located.
NHTF grants are awarded through a competitive application process to local public housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and for-profit entities that are either organized in or licensed to operate in Tennessee. There is a 30-year affordability period requirement.
THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey noted that CHA located in Hamilton County and Helen Ross McNabb Center located in Knox County were the top awardees of funds for the 2018 cycle.
“Awards are made based upon a matrix comprised of six measurements: project design, capacity and experience, leverage, need and, areas of opportunity," said Mr. Perrey. "The CHA provided a thorough application that will provide a strong return on investment for the funds awarded to them. The THDA strives to be good stewards of the funds under our oversight and we are confident in our investment in the CHA.”
With 111 units within Emerald Villages, CHA will use funding to rehabilitate housing reserved for people whose income is no more than 50 percent of the area median income.
CHA Executive Director Elizabeth McCright said, “CHA strives to meet the needs of an ever-changing population. Our clients are comprised of young people aging out of foster care to the elderly and those with special needs. They are individuals, couples and families. Some have been homeless while others are using our housing opportunities to work toward self-sufficiency. Each of them has one goal in mind: to find stability. The funds we’ve been awarded will assist us in meeting those needs and we are extremely grateful.”