Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield on Thursday announced $1 million in loans for a program to revitalize aging Chattanooga neighborhoods, in a new partnership with Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise.
The re:NOVATE program, funded by the city's share of federal community development block grants, will offer renovation loans to low-income homeowners effective immediately.
"There are many homeowners in Chattanooga who are working hard, but need an extra hand in affording their necessary home improvements," Littlefield said in a statement released Thursday.
In addition to construction financing, CNE will also help Chattanooga residents find low-cost contractors for repairs, said David Johnson, president and CEO of the organization.
"Many homeowners aren't able to find traditional loans necessary to make home repairs," Johnson said.
Though the program has income restrictions, the goal is to eventually boost housing values across the city.
"CNE fills that gap, providing affordable financing to eligible homeowners in order to make the improvements they need," Johnson said.
Ellis Smith joined the Chattanooga Times Free Press in January 2010 as a business reporter. His beat includes the flooring industry, Chattem, Unum, Krystal, the automobile market, real estate and technology. Ellis is from Marietta, Ga., and has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication at the University of West Georgia. He previously worked at UTV-13 News, Carrollton, Ga., as a producer; at the The West Georgian, Carrollton, Ga., as editor; and at the Times-Georgian, Carrollton, ...
related articles »
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise is seeking a "pied piper" to replace interim director Ric Ebersole as the organization goes through its ...
David Johnson will retire from Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise four years after taking the reins with the mandate to clean up ...
Sgt. Tammy Cook, an 11-year veteran on the Chattanooga police force, patrols the same neighborhood she lives in.
For Pamela Sheats, realizing the American dream of home ownership started with a home buying and maintenance class from Chattanooga ...
