Cactus grows next to the entrance to a unit at the site of the former Harriet Tubman Homes, seen Wednesday. The sprawling housing project site is being offered for sale by the Chattanooga Housing Authority. One of the contenders for the site is a Chicago-based development company that proposes to put Section 8 and market rate housing on the site, and about 100 units of housing for seniors.If you goWhat: Community meeting to discuss sale of Harriet Tubman site and Affordable Housing OrdinanceWhen: 6 p.m. todayWhere: Avondale Recreation Center at 1305 Dodson Ave.Who: Public is invited. Meeting hosted by the People’s Coalition of Affordable Housing
Affordable housing may be on the horizon for some Chattanooga residents after all.
Chattanooga Housing Authority officials said a Chicago-based firm has submitted a $2.8 million bid – the highest among four bidders – for the vacant 440-unit Harriet Tubman site.
Instead of using the 36 acres for business or industry, a plan proposed by Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, Lakewood Realty Group plans to build 440 housing units on the site. Berke withdrew the city’s $1 million bid.
The People’s Coalition for Affordable Housing, a group including Chattanooga Organized for Action, former Tubman residents and others concerned about affordable housing, have called a meeting today with representatives from the housing authority, city and the Chamber of Commerce to discuss an Affordable Housing Ordinance and the sale of the Tubman site.