Emerging Developers Propose New Housing on 28 CRA-Owned Lots

by Charia Jackson

The first round of invitations to participate in the Essential Housing Program has successfully concluded with the receipt of ten proposals from developers with a range of experience, from emerging small firms to seasoned builders. This response reflects growing interest and momentum around the CRA’s commitment to creating high-quality, attainable housing options in Memphis communities.

The majority of the proposals focused on the development of five residential lots, aligning with the program’s initial goals of supporting small-scale infill housing that promotes neighborhood stability and homeownership. These projects propose the construction of single-family and two-family homes that will be made available for purchase, increasing access to homeownership and generating wealth for working families and individuals. In total, the developers expressed interest in 28 of the 82 available lots, highlighting strategic preferences based on location, market conditions, and project feasibility.

The diversity in developer experience provides an opportunity to support local capacity-building while also ensuring a mix of thoughtful, well-designed housing across the city. The CRA is currently reviewing the proposals to evaluate their alignment with program objectives, community fit, and development feasibility. Once selected, the next steps will be for the developers to present their project to the community advisory committees.

This initial round marks an encouraging step toward addressing the city’s housing needs and demonstrates the potential of strategic public-private partnerships in creating a lasting impact. The CRA looks forward to announcing selected proposals and moving toward implementation in the coming months.

Those seeking to participate in the Essential Housing program can submit an interest form at https://cramemphis.org/memphis-essential-housing/.