May 10, 2023 – Tennessee Housing Development Agency awarded a $999,195 grant to Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity that will be used to construct affordable single-family housing.
Jefferson County 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 Jefferson County Habitat to continue its work building much-needed housing that is both affordable and safe for homeowners of moderate means,” THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey said.
Jefferson County Habitat plans to use the funds to construct five single-family homes located in Habitat’s Racine Ridge subdivision in Jefferson City. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or early fall.
“These grant funds are a huge help when it comes to our ability to build more homes here in Jefferson County,” Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Caleb Clingenpeel said. “This grant will allow us to up our production level by quite a bit by building these five homes over the next couple of years.”
Once construction is completed, Clingenpeel said the homes will be sold by Jefferson County Habitat to families or individuals who have successfully applied for the Habitat program. Proceeds from those sales will be used to fund the construction of five additional homes in Racine Ridge.
Clingenpeel said the homebuyers, as well as local volunteer groups, will help construct the homes.
According to Clingenpeel, anyone interested in applying should visit www.jeffersoncountyhabitat.org to see if they are eligible.
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.
