Chattanooga Featured As National Model Of Innovative Affordable Housing Policy

In their newly released ‘State and Local Housing Action Plan,’ the National Housing Crisis Task Force uses Chattanooga’s affordable housing PILOT reform and the city’s creation of Invest Chattanooga as models for other governments to follow in response to the national affordable housing crisis. 

"In Chattanooga, we’ve recognized the national housing crisis as the number one issue affecting our residents, and we’re stepping up to lead,” said Mayor Tim Kelly.

“We will see more housing that’s attainable for working Chattanoogans like our teachers, firefighters and service workers because of our reforms of our zoning code and tax incentives, along with the creation of Invest Chattanooga. We still have a long way to go, but this national recognition is validation that our housing policy team, lead by Nicole Heyman, is moving us in the right direction.” 

The National Housing Crisis Task Force was launched in 2024 by Drexel University’s Nowak Metro Finance Lab and Accelerator for America. Among its members are multiple mayors, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and many leading voices in housing policy, including The New Localism co-author Bruce Katz. 

Under Mayor Kelly, Chattanooga has instituted a number of policies and programs to make housing more affordable in Chattanooga, including: 

• Invest Chattanooga

• Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Affordable Housing Incentive Reform

• First Zoning Reform Since 1960s

• Attainable Housing Voluntary Incentives (in partnership with Senator Gardenhire)

• Eviction Prevention Initiative 

• Down Payment Assistance

• Accessory Dwelling Unit by Right Ordinance

• Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Reform