History of
The Housing Fund

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The Housing Fund, Inc (THF) is a private, 501(c)(3) organization established to finance affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization projects throughout Middle Tennessee, including Montgomery County. Since its incorporation in 1996, THF has assisted over 3,500 first time homebuyers receive over $25 million in downpayment assistance loans, as well as providing more than $47 million in financing to assist individuals and organizations purchase, rehabilitate, or construct homes for low and moderate income families. To put these numbers in perspective, THF has lent over $75 million, which has leveraged over $400 million in private financing for more than 4,900 units.

1993

THF’s story began in 1993 with a community wide planning effort, Nashville’s Agenda. Nashville’s Agenda was a citizen led effort bringing together all of the City’s disparate communities to dream about and develop “21 goals for the 21st Century.” In 1995, out of these visioning sessions, a Housing Action Team organized around three objectives:

1. Establish a clearing house to coordinate affordable homeownership opportunities;
2. Increase the supply of affordable and subsidized housing; and
3. Invest more resources in current housing solutions; create more incentives to develop property.

1996

In March 1996, the Nashville Housing Fund (NHF) is chartered as a “component unit” of the local public housing agency, a separate Nashville Housing Fund Board is appointed, and NHF receives IRS 501(c)3 status in May. Four local banks pledge $250,000 each to capitalize a new affordable housing loan fund. Eight additional banks soon follow with similar investments. In September 1996, NHF makes its very first downpayment assistance loan to a qualified low to moderate income family.

1999

In 1999, NHF legally separates from the public housing agency becoming a separate legal entity, the “big 4” banks increase their investments to $1 million each, and NHF applies to the U.S. Department of Treasury for status as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Concurrently NHF applies for and in 2000 receives $2 million in CDFI funds, which are matched by locally raised funds from the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County and other local sources. With these funds, in 2001, NHF starts its Development Loan Program financing the construction of affordable homebuyer and rental housing developments and expands its existing Downpayment Assistance Loan Program.

2002

In 2002, NHF outgrows its original offices and applies to the State of Tennessee for Low Income Housing Tax Credits to develop the mixed use Laurel House Apartments with NHF offices on the first floor. The credits are awarded and NHF begins construction of the development in the newly created Gulch Redevelopment District. In 2004, NHF moves to Laurel House, becoming the first new residential development in the District.

2005

In 2005, the NHF Board votes to expand outside Davidson County and changes the organization’s name to The Housing Fund (THF). THF now offers development loan services to the surrounding counties comprising the Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2006, THF opens an office in Clarksville, Tennessee at that city’s request, staffing it with a Loan Specialist and Program Coordinator. In 2007, THF hires a Director of Regional Services, opens an additional office in Bowling Green, Kentucky servicing a three county region, and enters into an agreement with the City of Franklin, Tennessee.

2010

In 2010, following devastating flooding in Nashville-Davidson County that damaged over 11,000 properties, THF, working the Metropolitan Government and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, leads a flood recovery program for impacted homeowners that ultimately distributes over $13 million in federal disaster recovery funds. During that same period, THF successfully authors a $30 million application for Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and joins a local consortium of non-profit agencies developing and redeveloping foreclosed and vacant properties.

2013

In 2013, the flood recovery and NSP programs end. In their wake, THF expands its product offerings and mission from assisting low to moderate income homebuyers and affordable housing developers to include meeting broader community development financing needs, receiving a $1.3 million CDFI fund award to assist homeowners with energy-saving retrofit and repair projects and to develop real estate based loan programs for community facilities and neighborhood businesses. In early 2014, THF receives statewide FHA certification and began offering homebuyer assistance programs throughout Tennessee.

2017

In 2017, THF welcomed new leadership and adopted a new strategic plan with the appointment of Marshall E. Crawford, Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer. The strategic plan included new ways the community could get involved with The Housing Fund’s mission, financially and as change agents. 2017 also brought the creation of the community Land Trust, an opportunity to provide lasting community assets and shared equity homeownership opportunities for families and individuals in Middle Tennessee.

Today

Today, with a dedicated and experienced staff and an effective and engaged Board of Directors, THF continues to be a regional leader in affordable housing and community development initiatives and policy development. With celebrating its 20th anniversary, The Housing Fund is a certified and growing Community Development Financial Institution with an exceptional industry rating and over $29 million in total assets. As it has through its history, THF continues to find innovative ways to meet the financial needs of the communities it services.

Get In Touch

Contact Us:

Mailing address: PO Box 657

Madison, TN 37116

Physical location:
1009 Gallatin Pike S
Madison, TN 37115

(615) 780-7000