08.31.2023

Today’s Forecast

85º | Sunny skies | 4% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 8:09 p.m.

Planning for affordable housing in the city

City of Chattanooga unveils first-ever Housing Action Plan

Learn about the city’s newest efforts for affordable housing. | Photo by @stevenbeardenphoto

A road map for Chattanooga’s housing ecosystem was recently unveiled by Mayor Tim Kelly + Chief Housing Officer Nicole Heyman with the city’s first-ever Housing Action Plan (HAP).

The plan will act as a comprehensive policy + program toolkit, addressing the roadblocks in the current affordable housing market in order to advance the city’s goals of expanding homeownership in the community. After six months of research, the city has determined five main goals.

Build up housing

The city will work on its Housing Trust Fund that will exclusively aid the creation of affordable units, adopt a public land disposition policy (think: developmental leases, permits, etc.), revise zoning and development processes + include a housing affordability requirement to the local tax increment financing (TIF).

The administration will also scale up staffing + its local and regional partnerships to help efforts.

Increase affordable rental units

In order to achieve the expansion of affordable units, the city will work with its partners to reform the PILOT program, support LIHTC development with gap financing + more, and launch the Revolving Loan Fund.

Bonus: Check out the city’s new database tool for finding affordable housing.

NOOGAtoday | Housing needs — The HAP will work toward addressing + managing these housing needs.
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Screenshot provided by the City of Chattanooga

Expand access + protection for homeowners

The city hopes to expand support for homeowners like financial assistance and repair programs, while improving zoning for single-family neighborhoods.

The administration will also advocate for employer-assisted housing from large companies + construction financing from lenders while providing best practices.

Check out the city’s current housing programs.

Work to make homelessness “rare”

As a continuation of supporting those experiencing homelessness in the city, the plan will work to open a low-barrier shelter + build permanent supportive housing.

This goal will focus on expanding emergency response resources (like street outreach) and continuing landlord education + outreach to attain more units that accept vouchers.

Make housing equitable

To decrease disparities within the community, the city will work to proactively connect with those who face higher barriers + create a capacity building program for new developers.

Keeping the advisory committee reflective of the diverse communities in the city + engaging with lenders to adapt mortgage products that address barriers are also recommended.

The HAP will have an implementation plan for the city to follow over the next several years.

See the abridged plan presentation

Events

Today, Aug. 31

Drink and Draw | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Floor Six at the Edney Innovation Center, 1100 Market St., Chattanooga | $8 | Network and draw with engineer April Corbett from Upstate Mississippi while enjoying beer, wine + light snacks.
TEDX Presents: Sessions | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga | $20 | Listen to four local musicians share their stories through music + narrative.

Friday, Sept. 1

“Earth Crush” | Friday, Sept. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | In-Town Gallery, 26 Frazier Ave., Chattanooga | Free | See sculptures made primarily with metal from local artist Denice Bizot in this new exhibition.

Saturday, Sept. 2

Butterfly Festival | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Heritage High School, 3960 Poplar Springs Rd., Chattanooga | $10-$50 | Enjoy a day of live entertainment, food vendors, and games + end the festival with a mass balloon and butterfly release.
Local Comic Creators Showcase | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 12-3 p.m. | Infinity Flux Comics & Games, 3643 Hixson Pk., Chattanooga | Free+ | Celebrate local comic illustrators and writers with a meet and greet + book signing.
History Funhouse Workshop Series: Constructing the Artist | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 12-5 p.m. | Downtown Library, 1001 Broad St., Chattanooga | Free | Help build a Wayne White puppet with local artist Matthew Dutton who has previously built the life-size work for a performance in 2017.

Sunday, Sept. 3

Fall Food Truck Rally | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | Free+ | Try bites from various local food trucks in block-party fashion while enjoying the Chattanooga Market.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department has appointed Morgan McCormick as its new park stewardship and maintenance director. Morgan will guide a team of ~50 members + work towards the goals outlined in the Parks and Outdoors Plan. (Chattanoogan.com)

Health

Welcome Home of Chattanooga has opened a second cancer respite care house on its five-acre property at 3131 Quiet Creek Tr. The organization offers cancer treatments to those who are experiencing homelessness. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Coming Soon

Hamilton County’s first IGA supermarket is slated to open at 2300 Dodson Ave. on Saturday, Sept. 16. The 17,976-sqft space has operated as several different grocery stores in the past, most recently as a Save A Lot Store. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Biz

The Gear Closet, which recently moved to its new location at 305 Signal Mountain Rd., will have a grand reopening celebration on Saturday, Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees can enjoy special deals + receive free commemorative Bonnaroo memorabilia with purchase.

Kids

Take learning out of the house and to the zoo. The Chattanooga Zoo will host its next Homeschool Days on Friday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kiddos can enjoy a zoo-wide scavenger hunt, animal interactions, and more.

Noogan

To honor Army Captain Larry L. Taylor, a “Welcome Home” parade will be held on Monday, Sept. 11. The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. at The Read House + conclude at 1 p.m. with a ceremony at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. (NewsChannel 9)

Cause

Gathering of Angels — an organization that connects accredited angel investors with young entrepreneurial companies — has relocated its headquarters to Chattanooga. The organization will host its first in-person meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the UTC Innovation Center. RSVP.

Arts

“Vocabulary,” an exhibit featuring the work of 27 local + national artists, is now on display at the Jewish Cultural Center at 5461 North Terrace Rd. The free exhibit will be on display through Nov. 30. (The Pulse)

Community

The Scenic City Chorale is seeking new members as it enters its 59th year. If you’re interested in joining the volunteer ensemble, inquire via email.

Try This

Summer is fleeting. There’s no time like the present, so knock out your summer activity to-do list with Chattanooga Tourism Co.’s Summer PLAYlist.*

Arts

Experience WalmART

Local art gets featured in Hixson Walmart

Be transported to a garden full of life during your next shopping trip. | Photo provided by Iantha Newton

Thanks to a partnership with ArtsBuild, your next grocery shopping trip will be like walking into a gallery at the Walmart in Hixson, located at 5764 TN-153.

Co-founder of SPLASH + local artist Iantha Newton’s “You Come to Art - Art Comes to You: Walmart Pop-Up Art Exhibit” features a six-panel acrylic on canvas painting. With nods to the Garden of Eden, the work showcases the abundance of life.

“Through my large-scale artwork, I aim to offer visitors an immersive art experience that celebrates the beauty of nature and the life abundant therein. Nature’s timeless narratives resonate with us all.” — Iantha Newton

The piece is part of ArtsBuild’s Artists Work Grants program that allows creatives to connect their mediums to the community in public spaces. The exhibit will be up throughout September.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Haley Bartlett

From the editor

I recently got to live out my dream of being a pottery gal with Editor Kristen at Scenic City Clay Arts for a wheel-throwing class. The experience was almost as incredible as our instructor Nicole, and between you and me, I think I found my new hobby.

Want an inside look into the class? See for yourself.

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