MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 21, 2026 – The City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is expanding support for emerging and local developers through a combination of pre-development assistance and middle-income housing funding to increase the supply of quality, attainable housing across Memphis neighborhoods.
Through the Memphis Middle-Income Housing Pilot Program (MI-Pilot), developers can access financial support for the construction and rehabilitation of infill housing serving households earning 80–120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Complementing this effort, HCD is also offering a Pre-Development Assistance Grant to help developers address early-stage project costs, including site work, grading, utilities and other critical pre-development activities that often present barriers to moving projects forward.
MI-Pilot supports a range of housing types, including duplexes, townhomes, small multifamily “large homes” (2–10 units), and single-family infill homes. By promoting gentle-density development on underutilized urban lots, the program advances neighborhood revitalization while expanding housing options in service-rich, urban areas.
Investments made through these initiatives have already supported several neighborhood-scale developments, including projects such as BelleMont, which highlight how targeted public investment can activate vacant land, strengthen community fabric, and deliver attainable homeownership and rental opportunities for middle-income families.
Both programs align with the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan, Accelerate Memphis, and the Memphis and Shelby County Joint Housing Policy Plan. Funding is structured through grants and loans designed to improve project feasibility, diversify the housing stock, and support developers working within Memphis neighborhoods.
Interested applicants may want to attend an informational workshop that walks developers through the MI-Pilot application guidelines and provides detailed information about the Pre-Development Assistance Grant.
The workshop will take place on February 3rd, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m at the Universal Life Building, 480 Linden Ave. Both nonprofit and for-profit developers are encouraged to attend this free event.
As middle-income households continue to face housing cost pressures and limited access to traditional subsidies, these programs work together to address a critical gap in the housing market—supporting developers while delivering attainable housing solutions for Memphis residents.
If you are interested in attending this workshop, register here.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Media Contact:
Arlenia Cole, Media Affairs Manager