In Memphis, the local government, alongside several partners, has taken concrete action to confront the city's housing crisis. The City's Division of Housing and Community Development (HCD), along with United Housing, Inc., the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), and Trustmark Bank, has completed and unveiled ten new affordable homes in the Whitehaven Hills section of the Oakhaven neighborhood. This development reflects efforts to assist individuals entering the property market for the first time.
The recent addition in Oakhaven features nine four-bedroom and two-bath houses, along with a single three-bedroom, two-bath home. Each property is valued at around $200,000—a pricing strategy tailored to ease the path toward homeownership for eligible buyers. As the City of Memphis reported, the funding for these homes was sourced from a mix of governmental programs at federal, state, and city levels, including the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and downpayment assistance initiatives. Despite a decades-long decline in the supply of starter homes in Memphis, these ten houses represent part of the city’s efforts to address the shortage and revitalize local communities.
By addressing the critical need for affordable housing, the project not only builds homes but fosters community development and enhances the living standards of Memphis residents. The initiative is a key component of a suite of programs overseen by the HCD's Affordable Housing Department (AHD), which utilizes various funding sources, including HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), besides the aforementioned ARPA.
The public is invited to commemorate the completion of these homes at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which is scheduled to be held at 3118 Argot Ave., Memphis, TN, on August 21 at 11:00 a.m.
