Chattanooga moves forward with shelter redevelopment

The city of Chattanooga is moving forward with plans to donate a derelict former hotel property into a stepping stone to help local residents exit homelessness. The city acquired the Airport Inn property and is in the process of transferring it to The Grateful Gobbler, a non-profit organization that benefits the Maclellan Shelter for Families. With a $2.3 million seed donation from the Maclellan Foundation, renovations on the former hotel property will begin to create a secure and professionally operated shelter designed for providing beds to families with children experiencing homelessness. To be named Provident Place, the shelter will have room for 120 parents, caregivers, pregnant mothers, infants, and children. The shelter will also provide a day-to-day family support model with coaching, case management, parenting support, housing and public services navigation, and connections to childcare, employment, mental health, transportation and other community resources to help families transition to permanent housing.