Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, January 10, 2020

Habitat for Humanity to share in $500,000 THDA grant


Funds will assist with the building of two local homes



Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area President and CEO Dave Butler, right, with Tempestt Jordan and her daughters. Habitat for Humanity will spend some of the funds it’s receiving from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency on building a home for Jordan. - Photograph provided

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area will receive $31,000 in grant funding from Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee to assist in the building of two new homes in Chattanooga.

The funding comes as part of a $500,000 grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area and its sister organizations throughout the state will apply the grant toward the construction of 30 new homes for qualified first-time homeowners.

In Chattanooga, the funds will be used to support building efforts for Vanester Steele’s home located on Kirkland Avenue while the remaining funds will be used in the home for Tempestt Jordan’s family on Hoyt Street.

“The funds we are receiving will assist in transforming the future of two Chattanooga families,” Local Habitat President and CEO Dave Butler says. “We’re grateful for the support.”

THDA allocates the funds to Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee and encourages local Habitat chapters to apply for $15,500 per home build. When construction is complete in June 2020, more than 100 children and adults will be living in affordable, energy-efficient homes built in part from this funding.

Funding for the grant came from the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund, which receives no state tax dollars but is instead funded by revenue from THDA’s mortgage loan program. Since 2006, THDA has provided more than $75 million in THTF grants.

“We share Habitat’s mission and passion for creating new homeownership opportunities for Tennessee families,” THDA Executive Director Ralph Perry says. “I’m sure more than a few THDA staffers will be among the volunteers at build sites across the state.”

Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage that helps fund future Habitat builds.

Source: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area