Community Driven
Designed in collaboration with residents
1 for 1 replacement for residents
A Reconnected Westside with integrated roads, green spaces, a Community Hub and enhanced support services for residents
One Westside Chattanooga Apartments
Where Housing, History, and Hope Meet
ONE WESTSIDE CHATTANOOGA
Through a year-long collaboration with residents, faith leaders, elected officials, and community partners, One Westside will reconnect the neighborhood—currently separated from downtown and the riverfront by highways and busy streets—through improved infrastructure and thoughtful urban planning.
A top priority is the one-for-one replacement of 629 aging public housing units at College Hill Courts and Gateway Tower. Built in 1940, College Hill Courts is Chattanooga’s largest public housing development, while Gateway Tower, built in 1974, provides 132 homes for seniors. These outdated buildings will be replaced with modern, high-quality apartment homes within the same 115-acre footprint, following a “Build First” strategy. This ensures that new homes are built before older ones are removed, allowing residents to transition smoothly into their new homes without displacement.
Beyond housing, the transformation plan introduces new green spaces, better connections to downtown and the riverfront, and the preservation of community landmarks. The historic James A. Henry School will become a dynamic community hub offering education, career training, and social services. Two beloved gathering places, “The Grace Tree” and the flagpole, will be memorialized as symbols of the neighborhood’s rich history.
The redevelopment will create 1,126 new apartment homes, 40% of which will be market-rate, fostering a truly mixed-income community. With a strong focus on sustainability and economic opportunity, One Westside is paving the way for a thriving, connected, and resilient neighborhood for generations to come.
Together, we’re building the future—right here in the heart of Chattanooga.
Elizabeth McCright
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Chattanooga Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meets each month to discuss current projects, plans, and decisions shaping affordable housing in Chattanooga. These meetings are a chance for residents, partners, and neighbors to learn what’s happening across our programs and to stay connected to the work CHA is doing in Chattanooga. Everyone is welcome, and we encourage you to join us and be part of the conversation.
One Westside is paving the way for a thriving, connected & resilient neighborhood for generations to come.
The plans for Chattanooga’s One Westside include new mixed-income homes, improved green spaces, a community hub, and valuable resources while preserving its rich history.
Every resident of College Hill Courts and Gateway Towers will have a new, modern home. With “Build First,” new homes will be ready before any demolitions, preventing displacement.
The Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revitalize distressed public housing and transform struggling neighborhoods into vibrant, sustainable communities. The program provides funding to cities, housing authorities, and community partners to improve housing, neighborhood conditions, and opportunities for residents through a comprehensive, community-driven approach.
In July 2024, the Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) and the City of Chattanooga were awarded a $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant to support the transformation of College Hill Courts and the surrounding Westside neighborhood. This historic investment will bring new housing, economic development, infrastructure improvements, and essential services to the community.
How will the grant be used?
The One Westside Plan, developed by CHA, the City of Chattanooga, and community stakeholders, focuses on three key areas:
- Housing
- Neighborhood
- People
One Westside Community News:
Quarterly Snapshot 2025
- 4 months Ago
- 2 Min Read
Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) continues to expand its local team and deepen support for College Hill Courts residents by helping residents access education, employment, and resources that create real opportunities within the people plan.
- 4 months Ago
- 3 Min Read
The transformation of Chattanooga’s Westside is gaining momentum. With construction underway on the first 230 new mixed-income homes and design nearing completion for the next 144, the One Westside Housing Plan is steadily moving forward.
- 7 months Ago
- 4 Min Read
Neighborhood Plan: The One Westside transformation is gaining momentum as partners work together to bring key community improvements to life. From the renovation of the historic James A. Henry building into a vibrant community hub, to transportation investments funded by a federal Reconnecting Communities Grant, the Westside Neighborhood Plan is moving forward with intention. With construction, planning, and collaboration underway, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to building a more connected and thriving Westside for current and future residents.
One Westside Community News:
Quarterly Snapshot 2024
The Mental Health Cooperative is weaving emotional well-being into the foundation of the Westside redevelopment plan. Over the next eight years, MHC will invest $176,000 in mental health services for Westside residents and open an on-site office within College Hill Courts to make care local, personal, and easy to access.
Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) continues to expand its local team and deepen support for College Hill Courts residents by helping residents access education, employment, and resources that create real opportunities within the people plan.
