City of Memphis Housing Summit - 2026 - Session 1

The City of Memphis Housing Summit, Session 1, was held October 15, 2026. Mayor Paul Young outlined the city’s goal of creating 10,000 housing units by 2030, including new construction and rehabilitation at all price points. He reported 3,339 units completed since January 2024 and described policy and process changes, funding tools, and developer and contractor training intended to support the remaining goal. The city reported about $1.5 million committed across more than 25 developers for approximately 92 units. Discussion emphasized zoning and building-code reforms, infill development, housing preservation and repairs, and coordinating investments around neighborhood anchors. No city contract award, bid approval, or formal spending vote was identified.

Tennessee Housing Development Agency Executive Director Ralph Perry described expanded homebuyer assistance, including $6,000 in deferred down-payment assistance, a forgivable option of up to $10,000, assistance of up to 5% of purchase price, and a new program offering up to $25,000 for buyers of newly built homes. THDA also reported two tax-credit awards for Memphis projects expected to generate more than $30 million in equity, eight tax-exempt bond awards supporting about $112 million in affordable-housing construction and rehabilitation, and a planned $20 million workforce-housing pilot. Local energy-assistance grants were reported at $8.7 million, with the total expected to exceed $11 million. Speakers also discussed Philadelphia’s housing programs and broader financing, affordability, and zoning challenges; no vendor selections or procurement contracts were announced.