Pastor Clifford Causey of Mt. Moriah Road Extd. Church in Memphis, Tennessee, was inspired to build affordable senior housing on an 8-acre property he was gifted in 2018. Despite facing challenges due to rising construction costs and lack of funding, Causey remains determined to make his vision a reality. The current housing landscape in Memphis is tough for low-income residents, especially seniors like Guinevere Floyd, who struggle to find decent and affordable housing. The rising costs of development have made it difficult for nonprofits and churches to build affordable housing without significant government subsidies. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency has been working to increase support for affordable housing projects by providing additional tax credits and bonds. However, developers like Alco Management are facing challenges in completing projects due to inflation and rising costs. Causey’s Covenant Gardens Senior Apartments project aims to provide quality housing for seniors, with amenities such as a fitness facility and outdoor community garden. Despite securing some funding, Causey still needs additional support to complete the project. He has requested federal and state funding, as well as financial assistance from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and tax incentives from the Health and Ed Board. Through creative solutions and collaboration with government agencies, Causey hopes to bring affordable housing to fruition for low-income residents in Memphis.
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Photo credit tennesseelookout.com
Building affordable housing in Memphis becomes increasingly challenging
