photo by AIM Center, Inc.
After several years of planning, fundraising and extensive community outreach, the AIM Center, in collaboration with the City of Chattanooga, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Chattanooga Housing Authority and the Vecino Group, is bringing hope to individuals with severe mental illness – literally.
AIM Center and its partners broke ground today on Espero Chattanooga, a new 60-unit affordable housing development located at 1807 and 1823 East Main Street.
Espero – “hope” in Spanish – will serve individuals living with serious mental illness, providing them with a stable, supportive environment to foster their well-being and future prospects. The $21 million project is intended to address the urgent need for affordable housing options for individuals with mental illness. Without access to stable, affordable housing options, many of these individuals will face cycles of instability, frequent hospitalizations and challenges in accessing healthcare.
The AIM Center is a Chattanooga-based organization dedicated to supporting individuals with serious mental illness. Vecino Group is a national real estate developer with specific competencies in affordable housing, supportive housing and Public-Private Partnerships. Espero Chattanooga is their first collaboration.
At least 19 units in Espero Chattanooga will be reserved for justice-involved and/or chronically homeless individuals who have serious mental illness; these units will be designated for those living at or below 30 percent of the area median income, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. The City of Chattanooga donated the property for the project, which is being financed in part with low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) from THDA.
“Simply put, ‘espero’ means ‘hope,’ and that is exactly what we are bringing to dozens of people in our community who need it,” said Anna Protano-Biggs, president & CEO of the AIM Center. “On behalf of Espero Chattanooga’s future residents, we are deeply thankful to everyone who has helped us reach this milestone, including our generous and supportive neighbors from the Highland Park and Ridgedale neighborhoods.”
"Espero Chattanooga has been in development since 2019 and has earned the enduring support of both the Berke and Kelly administrations of the City of Chattanooga, as well as Councilwoman Marvene Noel of the Chattanooga City Council," officials said.
"These 60 units of permanent supportive housing will be critical in our work to reduce homelessness and care for people experiencing mental illness," said Mayor Tim Kelly. "Espero’s design is beautiful, the services it will provide are best-in-class, and the difference it will make in people’s lives is incalculable. This is another great example of how we can bring together government, nonprofits and the private sector to make meaningful change. The City of Chattanooga is proud to work with AIM Center, Vecino Group, CHA and THDA on this project.”
Construction on Espero Chattanooga is underway. Lease up is expected to be complete by Spring 2026.