Chattanooga, Tenn. (November 17, 2025) - The City of Chattanooga—in partnership with the Maclellan Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and the Generosity Trust—today announced the launch of Enterprise Community Partners’ Faith-Based Development InitiativeSM. The initiative will provide technical assistance, grant funding, and connections with qualified development partners to empower houses of worship to transform underutilized land into affordable homes and community assets.
“Houses of worship own a significant amount of underutilized land and this untapped resource can help meet our housing needs,” said Mayor Tim Kelly. “Chattanooga’s initiative will build on Enterprise Community Partners’ nearly 20 years of experience supporting faith-based organizations nationwide. We’re grateful for their partnership and the financial support of the Maclellan Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and Generosity Trust.”
To date, Enterprise’s Faith-Based Development InitiativeSM has helped houses of worship create more than 1,900 affordable homes across the country, with an additional 8,000 homes in the development pipeline. Building on this national success, Enterprise is now bringing the program to Chattanooga to help congregations leverage their property for lasting community benefit.
“Faith communities have always been anchors of care, belonging and stability for their neighbors,” said Dr. Christie Cade, Vice President & Southeast Market Leader, Enterprise Community Partners. “By partnering with congregations to steward their land for homes and community benefit, we can translate that calling into brick‑and‑mortar solutions. Enterprise is excited to bring our Faith-Based Development Initiative to Chattanooga, and we look forward to walking alongside houses of worship interested in developing affordable homes to serve their communities for generations to come.”
The local launch will kick off with a Clarion Call event at the Downtown Chattanooga Public Library (fourth floor) on January 7 from 12-2:30 p.m. The event invites leaders from all faith backgrounds to learn more about Chattanooga’s affordable housing needs and how their congregations can participate. Enterprise will present an overview of the initiative and share examples of successful faith-based housing projects from across the Southeast.
“The Maclellan Foundation is honored to support the Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative as part of our commitment to strengthen the role of the local church in addressing the most pressing needs of our city,” said Chris Maclellan, Chairman Elect at the Maclellan Foundation. “Our Christian faith compels us to respond with compassion to those in need, and this partnership offers a practical way to do so by expanding access to affordable housing in Chattanooga,”
Following the Clarion Call, interested congregations will be invited to submit online applications to participate in the Chattanooga FBDI cohort. Eight houses of worship will be selected to receive comprehensive training, pre-development grant funding, and individualized technical assistance to advance their projects over a three-year period.
“At the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, we believe that solving complex issues like affordable housing becomes possible when trusted institutions come together to meet community needs,” said Maeghan Jones, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Faith communities are uniquely positioned to lead in this moment—not only through their spiritual leadership, but also through the stewardship of land and resources that can be used to create affordable housing. We’re proud to support this initiative and help congregations turn vision into impact for generations to come.”
The Generosity Trust echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the alignment between faith-driven service and the city’s housing goals.
“Through our community involvement, we are aware of several churches that own property they intend to use for affordable housing. Some are already in the planning and developing stage. Enterprise is coming in at a good time to partner with church leaders, who are committed to loving their neighbors by offering affordable housing,” said Dr. James R. Barber, President of the Generosity Trust.
Faith leaders interested in attending the Clarion Call and learning more can register online and find more information.