For most first-time buyers, the biggest thing standing between them and a home isn't their monthly budget. It's the cash needed up front. The down payment and closing costs can feel like a wall, and rightfully so. A house down payment is the standard in the lending industry, and it can quickly become a barrier to entry when trying to save up for that 20 percent number. Here's what a lot of Chattanoogans don't realize: you may need far less than you think for a down payment, and there are real programs built to help cover that up-front cost, both statewide and right here at home. Let's walk through what's available and how to use it.
Over the course of a recent two-week T-Term internship, McCallie High School students Joseph and Jerome had the opportunity to shadow CNE's William Larios, Bilingual Community Organizer, and Grecia Morales, Happy Neighborhoods Manager. From community meetings to behind-the-scenes planning, Joseph and Jerome got a firsthand look at what it really takes to build a stronger, more connected Chattanooga.
Action leads to change! During a recent Illuminate Oak Grove event, volunteers came together to identify more than 40 streetlights in need of maintenance across 10 neighborhood routes — a hands-on effort aimed at making Oak Grove safer and brighter for everyone who calls it home.
What a beautiful day it was at Lynnbrook Park! Our community truly shone during a recent Family Pictures at the Park event, with neighbors coming together to celebrate family, friendship, and everything that makes Oak Grove feel like home. From the glowing smiles to the perfect spring weather, the energy in the park was a testament to why this neighborhood is such a special place to live.
This past holiday season, CNE joined residents of the Oak Grove Neighborhood for a Holiday Potluck filled with good food, good company, and a little holiday cheer. Neighbors shared dishes and drinks, decorated cookies, and spent time getting to know one another over a shared table.
CNE teamed up with volunteers from the Oak Grove Neighborhood for our Clean Your Yard event, and the results speak for themselves. Together, we cleared three alleyway sections and hauled away more than 20 bags of trash and debris. It was a great reminder of what's possible when a community rolls up its sleeves and works toward a common goal.
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise announces three members of its board of directors - Andrea Hardaway, Adam Kinsey and Raquetta Dotley - have been selected to participate in the 2026 Young American Leaders Program (YALP) at Harvard Business School.
NeighborWorks Week 2025: CNE partnered with YM360 to improve the Oak Grove and Ridgedale neighborhoods, putting on a powerful display of community spirit. Read More!
CNE adds four new members to its' Board: Adam Kinsey, Raquetta Dotley, Claudia Pullen, and Kim Printz. Learn more about their expertise and goals for CNE.
