May 11, 2023 – Tennessee Housing Development Agency awarded an $828,000 grant to Clinch River Habitat for Humanity that will be used to construct new housing in Anderson and Roane counties.
Clinch River Habitat was one of four Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) statewide that received a portion of the $3.3 million in HOME CHDO funding that was recently approved by the THDA Board of Directors.
“This grant will allow Clinch River Habitat to build housing that is both affordable and safe for homeowners of moderate means,” THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey said. “Affordable housing is needed now more than ever in East Tennessee, and these homes will help those who need it most.”
Clinch River Habitat plans to use the funds to construct six single-family homes located in Harriman, Rockwood and Anderson County. Construction on the homes is expected to begin this summer.
“With housing costs right now so high, efforts like these are so necessary and we couldn’t do it without THDA,” Clinch River Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Charlotte Cunningham said. “Without these types of grants, we wouldn’t be able to offer this kind of high-quality affordable housing.”
Once construction is completed, Cunningham said the homes will be sold to families or individuals who have successfully applied for the Habitat program. Proceeds from those sales will be used to fund the construction of at least six additional homes in the Clinch River Habitat service area.
Cunningham said the homebuyers, as well as local volunteer groups, will help construct the homes.
Individuals interested in applying for Clinch River Habitat for Humanity should visit clinchriverhfh.org to learn more.
The HOME Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HOME funds are allocated by THDA through a competitive application process to smaller cities, counties and non-profit organizations. Urban areas and local participating jurisdictions receive their funding directly from the federal government.
HOME grants must be used for the production, preservation, or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low and very low income families and individuals.
