Announcement of the grant was made at a joint press conference on Friday, March 9 at the Center location, 1903 McCallie Avenue in Chattanooga. DMHDD Assistant Commissioner Melanie Hampton and THDA Executive Director, Janice Myrick announced the award at 10:00 a.m.

This grant is the result of the Creating Homes Initiative (CHI), an innovative TDMHDD initiative which proposes that 2005 new permanent housing options be created statewide by the year 2005. CHI was developed and implemented by Marie Williams, director of the Office of Housing, Planning and Development, DMHDD.

"A major priority for our department is to create and expand a full continuum of affordable housing that is both safe and appropriate for persons with mental illness," said Hampton. "This is important to achieving and maintaining good mental health. We hope these initiatives in the Chattanooga area help residents with mental illness to successfully live in the community," she said.

Local CHI community task forces – each with representatives from key community agencies -- worked closely with state agencies to achieve CHI goals. Task force participants include faith based, nonprofit, foundations, architects and homebuilders, advocacy groups, service providers, realtors and federal, state and local agencies concerned with housing development.