From its initial discussion during the Littlefield mayoral administration, we thought a public-private partnership to build affordable housing in Chattanooga was worth pursuing.
In this case, it involves the donation of city-owned properties to developers in exchange for the promise to build houses or apartments that would be affordable to individuals earning 80% to 100% or less of the area’s median income.
More than a decade after that first discussion, Chattanooga Chief Housing Officer Nicole Heyman said last week the city plans to donate 11 properties to developers. It would begin accepting proposals from builders next month, with the goal to distribute the properties in January.
Three administrations have talked of the idea, though, to be fair, the mention during the Littlefield administration was at the end of the mayor’s second term. But nothing has happened – spokespersons variously have said – because of bureaucratic red tape.
It ought to be easier. It seems to us it shouldn’t be that complicated for the city to divest itself of property it owns outright and assign it to another party with whom the city has a contractual agreement.