The City of Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) Essential Housing Program is excited to announce the groundbreaking of its first home build at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 22nd, in Uptown at 564 N. Manassas St.
Launched in February 2025, the Essential Housing Program was designed to restore and rebuild neighborhoods within the Uptown and Binghampton TIF Districts. In less than a year, the CRA has awarded over 40 scattered lots to 13 emerging and small-scale developers. These developers are set to build 64 units this year of varying housing types, including single-family, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and quadplexes. Each home is required to provide long-term affordable housing at or below 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) while following MLGW EcoBUILD standards.
The first developer to break ground through the program is Wayne Moody, executive director of Moody Community Development Corporation. Moody CDC is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding access to safe, affordable, sustainable housing in underserved communities. Through partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions, and local stakeholders, Moody CDC develops and rehabilitates housing that promotes neighborhood stability, economic opportunity, and long-term affordability.
“We are thrilled that Wayne is moving forward with the sites awarded through the Essential Housing Program,” Charia Jackson, program director, stated. “I am excited to be in a role that allows me to coordinate housing developments through public-private partnerships while working alongside developers who are committed to creating quality affordable housing. I look forward to supporting their work and helping to turn their strong ideas into impactful projects that benefit residents and neighborhoods.”
