Housing

East Tennessee Development District's housing program is funded through a grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) for the provision of technical assistance services. Technical assistance includes assisting local governments and not-for-profit entities in the development, application, and implementation of affordable housing programs for very low and low-income households in Tennessee. ETDD provides information related to housing programs and opportunities and is able to assist in the development of HOME and housing-related CDBG grant applications.

In addition, ETDD's housing program provides county-by-county information on housing starts, subsidized housing, apartment rents and vacancy rates, and housing programs to regional housing interests, developers, governments and agencies. ETDD functions as a regional disseminator of housing program information by keeping periodic contact with other housing-related organizations and exchanging information and ideas. ETDD's primary role as a regional project clearinghouse affords it an excellent position from which to monitor regional housing development trends and to assist in housing development within the District.

ETDD staff not only provides assistance with grants and ongoing housing related services and activities, but also attempts to bring creativity and diversity to the field through such projects as the rehabilitation of the Rhea-Mims Hotel. This and other projects are good for communities, create new partnerships for housing, and provide affordable housing opportunities.