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The Plan

In October 2021, the City of Chattanooga used $2.785 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to purchase the dilapidated Airport Inn located at 7725 Lee Highway.

The vacant hotel was attracting crime and vagrants - a nuisance and safety hazard to the local community. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly saw an opportunity to turn a community problem into a community asset by transforming the dilapidated building into 70 units of permanent supportive housing for Chattanoogans in need, at an affordable cost of less than $40,000 per room. The renovated building will include a new facade, green spaces, fencing and new efficiency apartment units

What is permanent supportive housing?

Permanent supportive housing units exist today in every district of the city. The concept, which has been proven as a best practice nationwide, couples apartment units with around-the-clock support services for residents who are ready to transition out of homelessness. They are a proven model for helping residents recover, stabilize, and re-integrate into the community in a safe and controlled environment.

Permanent supportive housing is not a homeless shelter. It is permanent housing designed to help residents stay in a home — for good.

In Hamilton County alone, 97 percent of people who moved into permanent supportive housing over the last year are still housed.