Memphis is investing in the people and organizations shaping a more equitable future for our city. This week, the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced $6.5 million in grants to 35 organizations working at the frontlines of housing stability, homelessness prevention, and neighborhood revitalization.
These grants come through the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF), backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Memphis. The program supports community-led solutions, selected through a competitive process, that are creating real, lasting change across Memphis neighborhoods.
“For the past two years, we’ve invested more than $10 million through SCIF into organizations not just talking about change—but delivering it,” said Mayor Paul Young during the July 16 press conference. “This year, we’re awarding $6.5 million to organizations leading initiatives from transitional housing and education to senior care and neighborhood beautification. This is what it means to say yes to our community.”
Spotlight on the Top Grant Recipients
Friends for Life Corp. (Friends for All) – $1.9 million
As Memphis’ largest and oldest HIV/AIDS service organization, Friends for Life is a lifeline for many. The organization offers comprehensive services including housing, medical case management, food pantry access, and employment assistance for individuals living with HIV. This funding will help expand their Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA) programs—addressing housing insecurity head-on for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. A safe, stable home is the foundation for health and healing, and Friends for Life is making that possible every day.
Hope House Day Care – $1.75 million
Hope House goes far beyond childcare—it’s a place of safety, support, and empowerment for families affected by HIV and poverty. With a trauma-informed, inclusive approach, they provide early childhood education, family counseling, and social services that set both kids and caregivers up for long-term success. This investment helps ensure that the next generation of Memphians has the stability and nurturing environment they need to thrive—no matter their circumstances.
Case Management Inc. – $500,000+
Mental health is a critical, often overlooked part of the housing and homelessness conversation. Case Management Inc. is a key player in this space, offering behavioral health services, supportive housing, and care coordination to individuals with mental illness who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Their work bridges the gap between healthcare and housing—and this funding allows them to continue providing tailored support that helps people not only find housing, but maintain it.
Other key grants included:
- Community Alliance for the Homeless – $432,500
- Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) – $305,000
Additionally:
- Community Service Grants were awarded to 14 recipients totaling $460,000
- Emergency Services Grants (ESG) went to 6 organizations for $518,000
- Neighborhood Partnership Grants supported 13 recipients with $195,000
Mayor Young emphasized that this moment is bigger than a press conference—it’s a reminder of what’s possible when Memphis unites with purpose:
“Memphis doesn’t rise on good intentions alone. It rises when we work together—when we align resources and purpose to build a city where every person, in every neighborhood, has the opportunity to thrive.”
This investment isn’t just about dollars—it’s about dignity, equity, and progress. It’s about saying yes to the organizations who show up every day for our most underserved neighbors. And it’s about saying yes to a stronger Memphis—one rooted in compassion, collaboration, and community.
