Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis has announced its most ambitious housing development to date — a $13.3 million project that will bring 52 new homes to North Memphis. The development, located near Chelsea Avenue and North Third Street, is designed to expand access to affordable, high-quality housing in a neighborhood with growing demand.
The nonprofit, led by President and CEO Dwayne Spencer, expects the first round of homes to be completed within the next 18 months. Unlike the organization’s traditional single-family home builds, this project will feature semi-attached housing, allowing for more families to move in on the same footprint of land.
“If they would have been single-family homes, we probably would have done about 15 to 20 instead,” Spencer explained. “We try to maximize space while keeping affordability and quality top of mind.”
The project is part of Memphis Habitat’s broader $62 million capital campaign, which aims to build 150 new homes across the city over the next five years. The Chelsea Avenue development marks a major step in reaching that goal.
Each home will offer three to four bedrooms, at least two bathrooms, and up to 1,600 square feet of living space. Designed with modern features, the homes will include granite countertops, custom cabinetry, waterproof luxury flooring, and stainless steel appliances. Families will also be able to personalize aspects of their homes to meet their needs. Price points are expected to fall between $205,000 and $210,000, with Habitat’s signature zero-interest mortgages making homeownership more accessible.
Infrastructure work on the six-acre site will begin immediately and is projected to take four to five months. The build will unfold in three phases, with the first 20 to 25 homes going up before the remainder of the development is completed.
Memphis Habitat secured nearly five acres of the land for $210,000 from Hope Church and its partner organization Oasis of Hope. Rev. Rufus Smith of Hope Church noted that the congregation had long envisioned affordable housing for the property but ultimately saw greater impact by partnering with Habitat. “We are delighted that we’ve had the opportunity to partner with you and are looking forward to families and lives being changed,” he said.
With this bold investment, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is not only expanding the city’s housing landscape but also reinforcing Memphis’ national reputation as a model for community-driven development and neighborhood revitalization.
