The Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) and the City of Chattanooga were awarded a $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant on July 16, 2024. On August 27, 2024, the Master Developer Agreement was executed between CHA and Columbia Residential as the Housing Implementation Entity.
The One Westside Housing Plan includes seven phases, totaling 1,126 new mixed-income units to be completed within the CNI grant timeframe.
Each phase will utilize a “twinning” financing structure, combining 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for Phase A and 4% LIHTC for Phase B. Phases 1A and 1B are approaching financial closing and construction, while Phase 2A and 2B are currently in the initial stages of design and planning.
In June 2024, CHA secured 4% and 9% LIHTC allocations from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency for Phases 1A and 1B. These phases are located on an off-site vacant parcel within the Westside Neighborhood. The demolition of the existing school building is nearly complete.
Phase 1A will deliver 64 new units, while Phase 1B will add 166 units, for a total of 230 new mixed-income units, including 92 replacement units for College Hill Courts residents.
Architectural drawings for these phases have been finalized and are under review by HUD architects. Permitting with the City is in progress, and bids for the general contractor have been received. Bonds were closed in November 2024, and the evidentiary package was submitted to HUD, targeting a financial closing in March 2025.
Columbia Residential has initiated the design and surveying process for Phase 2 (2A,2B) housing, which will be located on the vacant land south of Gateway Tower, following the “build first” strategy. The second LIHTC twinning application for Phases 2A and 2B is scheduled for submission in April 2025.
Phase 2 will deliver a total of 144 new mixed-income units, including 66 replacement units for College Hill Courts residents.
This project will replace aging infrastructure with high-quality, mixed-income housing that fosters both economic and social growth.
