Transform Chattanooga

First Multi-Unit Habitat Structure In Chattanooga to Be EarthCraft Certified!

Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has built more than 225 single-family homes in Chattanooga, and now a new type of Habitat build is underway – a multi unit townhome development in Brainerd which will house  three families: Telisha McKinley, Ashley Lee and Jean Hitimana & Bahati Magdalene and their families.

Telisha McKinley graduated from Howard High School, despite having a child at the start of her senior year.  She lived with her mom for a time then moved to East Lake, but moved out after a shooting next door.  For the last six years she has rented a home in Battery Heights.  Telisha attended Miller-Mott Technical College, where she completed her associate’s degree, and now works as a Certified Medical Assistant with a local pediatrician.  She is excited about having a safe place for her young daughter and son to live and play

Bahati and Son

Bahati Magdalene and her husband Jean Hitimana, both originally from the Congo met here in Chattanooga.  After war broke out there, they and their immediate families fled to refugee camps.  Bridge Refugee Services help both of them come to Chattanooga.  Their new home is very close to New Covenant Church where they were married!   They are looking forward to having a safe home where they can raise their young son and a second child on the way.

Ashley and Kids

Ashley Lee was originally from Florida, but came to Chattanooga as a young child.  She attended elementary, middle and high school in East Ridge, and has worked at a local Sonic Restaurant for the last five years.  Economic challenges, the condemnation of her rental home and an impending pregnancy led Amy to return to her mother’s home.  She is looking forward to having a place where she will be able to give her children the kind of stable home she remembers from her childhood.

“Our Brainerd town home project is an opportunity to add a different option to the types of homes that we build,” says Dennis Neal, LEED AP, Habitat’s Director of Construction and Land Development.   “While most of our future homes are likely to be infill construction in existing neighborhoods, as land becomes harder to secure, having an understanding of how to build town homes will be useful.  We are excited about offering something different to our partner families, who may not want a traditional home.”

The units, designed by Tightlines Designs, mix a Charleston-inspired two story design with Habitat’s principles of simple, decent, affordable and safe construction.  Like other recent Habitat builds in Chattanooga, these units will be built to EarthCraft House Standards, and third-party certified.  “EarthCraft is a system of building that helps structure use energy efficiently.   Most of the technology involved isn’t noticeable to the untrained observer, but it makes a tremendous difference in our homeowner’s monthly utility bills,” says Neal.

Our First Multi-Unit Building!

Support for construction of the three units was provided by HOME Grant Act funds from the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development under Mayor Ron Littlefield.  Construction of the homes is expected to be complete next spring.  When complete, the units, like other Habitat builds, will be sold to partner families at zero percent interest with 30 year mortgages.   Over time, their mortgage payments, along with additional support from the community, will help Habitat extend home ownership opportunities to more economically disadvantaged families.

Photos and Text by John Lamb