A new affordable housing initiative from the city of Chattanooga will encourage houses of worship to turn underutilized property into developments.
The Enterprise Community Partners’ Faith-Based Development Initiative will provide grant funding, technical assistance and connections with development partners to eight congregations selected to take part in the three-year program, according to a press release from the city.
“Houses of worship own a significant amount of underutilized land, and this untapped resource can help meet our housing needs,” Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said in a statement.
The city is partnering with the Maclellan Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and the Generosity Trust, as well as Enterprise Community Partners, a national 501(c)(3) organization that helps faith-based organizations create affordable homes.
There are several churches in the Chattanooga area that have already started down the road to building affordable units on unused property, including First Baptist Church on East Eighth Street and Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church in Brainerd.