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 Initiative
<https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/impact-areas/preservation-and-production/faith-based-development>
. 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 Initiative 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
<https://web.cvent.com/event/4ef57f4f-5780-4c3f-8a64-aa0a32b640d0/summary>.
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About Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a
good home possible for the millions of families without one. For more than
40 years, Enterprise has invested $80.9 billion to help create or preserve
1 million affordable homes across all 50 states. The launch of the
Faith-Based Development Initiative marks the entrance of this key partner
to the Chattanooga affordable housing ecosystem.
About the Maclellan Foundation, Inc.
Founded in 1945, the Maclellan Foundation is a private family foundation
dedicated to the flourishing of Chattanooga and supporting Christian
ministries worldwide.
About the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, connects their donors’
passion to purpose – investing in people, ideas, and partners that
transform generosity into lasting change maximize their impact while
ensuring their contributions create lasting benefits for the causes they
cherish.
About the Generosity Trust
For 60 years, Chattanooga area families have turned to The Generosity Trust
to guide them along the path of greater generosity. A donor-directed
foundation that empowers Christian generosity, the organization’s mission
is carried out through four primary initiatives: donor-advised funds,
multi-generational generosity, serving as a center of connection,
education, and community, and serving as a center of service for the
benefit of greater Chattanooga.