Hundreds of people like “Ron,” “Nina” and “Jeffrey” are chronically homeless. While technically not all of them sleep on park benches or live in their cars, many shuffle from place to place, bunking with friends and relatives but never having a place to call their own. With no permanent address, staying in touch with prospective employers and social workers is close to impossible.

Many others like “Anita,” “Reginald” and “Mary” live in public, substandard or unaffordable rental housing—though probably not for long. Either they face eviction or feel trapped in decayed dwellings, unable to make monthly payments or basic repairs.

Thankfully, there is hope for low-income people seeking permanent, safe and affordable housing. Hope for the Inner City, an equal opportunity housing provider, envisions Chattanooga’s urban scene transformed by the life and love of Jesus Christ as:

• Families in a crisis find safe temporary housing,


• The chronically homeless become responsible renters,


• Lifelong renters grow into first-time homebuyers,


• Dilapidated properties give way to new construction and repair.