Memphis and Shelby County CRA

05/08/2026

🏡Our third Essential Housing celebration was one for the books! We celebrated Billy Irby's construction of a single-family home with an ADU at 905 Decatur Street. Irby is building a total of seven units on 4 parcels.

Don't miss our next event on Wednesday, May 27, at 709 N. Dunlap St. The fun begins at 1:30 p.m.

https://cramemphis.org/memphis-essential-housing/

05/07/2026

🚧 Essential Housing is Taking Shape!

Today, the CRA celebrated the construction of seven affordable units. Emerging developer Billy Irby of West Tn CDC expressed his excitement to provide housing for a neighborhood that shaped him. Those in attendance included childhood friends, fellow developers, and Mayor Paul Young.

Irby is the first developer in the Essential Housing Program to add Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). These units provide extra space for extended families or an option to rent and build generational wealth. The Essential Housing Program is helping chip away at the City of Memphis' goal of 10,000 new homes by 2030. Mayor Young spoke highly of Irby at the event.

“You are the epitome of our city. You represent a generation that are showing they are ready to take the helm and put in the work and do the things that are going to put our city on the right path.”

Learn more about Essential Housing: https://cramemphis.org/memphis-essential-housing/

05/06/2026

🎈Join us tomorrow!

04/30/2026

🥊 In the fight against blight, Affordable Lawn Care and Hawks Tree Services have been landing knock-out punches down Decatur Street in New Chicago.

These two companies have been cutting dangerous trees, clearing overgrowth, and removing illegal dumping throughout April. The CRA's goal is to turn nuisances into new opportunities. We hope this work not only attracts investment but makes life a little easier for our neighbors.

04/27/2026

Congrats to our President, Andrew Murray, on graduating from the New Memphis Leadership Development Intensive!

Through interactive workshops, proven assessments, one-on-one coaching, and peer learning, LDI graduates become refreshed leaders with new tools to drive success on their teams.

Congratulations to New Memphis’ newest alumni! New Memphis programs infuse the city with leaders who are passionate about positive community change and have the skills needed to take action, and recent graduates of LDI have dedicated time outside of work to improve themselves and their community. See who these accomplished leaders are here: https://www.newmemphis.org/ldi-alumni

Want to see yourself here in the future? Learn more about the LDI program and apply newmemphis.org

04/25/2026

Today is day!

What once was a busy rail line is now an active playground. North Memphis' Bearwater Greenline is the perfect spot to escape the city sounds and be one with nature. The quarter-mile connector features exercise equipment, historical signs, and hungry horses. Practice your hook shot at Washington Park 🏀 and drink brews at Grind City Brewing 🍺 on your visit. Whatever you choose, celebrate your local today!

Learn more about the Greenline at https://cramemphis.org/project-bearwater-greenline/

04/24/2026

🏡Can Memphis really add 10,000 new or renovated homes by 2030?

MLK50 reports on changes made by the City of Memphis and a partnership with Shelby County that may help achieve this "extremely ambitious goal," as one housing fellow at the Roosevelt Institute remarked.

The city of Memphis is taking a largely hands-off approach to reaching Mayor Paul Young’s goal of adding 10,000 new or renovated homes to its housing stock by 2030. Achieving this total would…

04/22/2026

🍅🫐 Health is your wealth.

Do you know who grows your food? Black Seeds and Farmer C are working to educate and create more interest in urban farming right here in Memphis. Learn what urban farming means, what local opportunities exist, and the different levels of food processing in the latest New Memphis podcast.

Podcast Episode · Meanwhile in Memphis with New Memphis · April 21 · 59m

04/20/2026

🎉Today marked a milestone in Uptown with the ribbon-cutting of Malone Park Commons.

This 35-unit community developed by Jones Urban Development (JUD) includes cottages, live/work buildings, and fourplexes. Malone Park has also attracted new businesses to the area, including Groovy Gratitude , Evolve Pilates, and The Mane Wilding Floral Studio. Andre Jones, the founder of JUD, turned a mostly empty block into a walkable neighborhood.

“This is a path forward, and this is how Memphis will grow," Jones celebrated. "This is how we will fill out neighborhoods."

Learn more: https://cramemphis.org/andre-jones-bike/

04/17/2026

🎉✂️Come celebrate with us on Monday, April 20, and take a walking tour of Malone Park Commons—a vibrant new hub blending homes, shops, and gathering spaces. Malone Park Commons was recently awarded the Best New Construction Project (small) by the Memphis Business Journal.

📅 Monday, April 20 | 11:15 a.m.
📌 606 N. Main Street, Memphis, TN

04/16/2026

🏡 Excitement is building as the first home in CRA's Essential Housing Program nears completion.

On April 10, we walked through the construction site at 564 Manassas Street with builder Wayne Moody, noticing impressive progress just two months after breaking ground. Moody is one of 18 small-scale developers currently in the program, helping fill the need for more affordable housing units in Memphis.

CRA's First Essential Housing Project Nears Completion