Applicant screening, selection, and placement will be conducted in full compliance with all applicable U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations, including the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Interim Rule (24 CFR § 578.7(a)(8)).

Prospective tenant applicants for Espero Chattanooga will be selected from a waitlist by the AIM Center Housing Resource Center in conjunction with the Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA). The AIM Center Housing Resource Center waitlist will open on May 15, 2025 for the Espero Chattanooga Housing Project. This will be the only opportunity for the public to apply for the initial lease-up, and interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their waitlist applications during this timeframe.

What This Means for Applicants: 

Individuals currently on the AIM Center Housing Resource Center waitlist do not need to reapply and may be contacted regarding potential eligibility for Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units at Espero. For those not yet on the waitlist, an opportunity to apply will be provided during the four-hour open enrollment period on May 15, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in person at the AIM Center, located at 472 West MLK Blvd. Chattanooga, TN 37402. 

Eligibility: 

Selection for Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units includes verification of income eligibility and screening in accordance with HUD Housing Choice Voucher program requirements under 24 CFR Part 983. Units may be designated for specific populations, such as persons with disabilities or households requiring supportive services, consistent with HUD regulations and applicable federal fair housing laws. 

To Apply: 

• Location: AIM Center (472 W MLK Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37402), beginning at 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Friday, May 15, 2026. Please arrive at the back entrance facing the parking lot, where signage will direct you to the designated line formation area. 

• Application Type: In-person only on May 15, 2026 during the designated time frame. Applications will not be accepted online, by phone, or through any electronic submission methods. Applications will not be accepted early or beyond the time frame provided. Applications will not be retained after initial lease-up and stabilization of the Espero site. At this event there will be an opportunity to complete a Universal Housing Assessment to be added to the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition’s “By Name List”.  

• Ticketing System: AIM Center will distribute a maximum of 200 tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to one ticket per household. Once tickets have been distributed, no additional applicants will be accepted. All household members age 18 and older must be present, and tickets must be retained at all times. 

• Capacity: This opportunity is limited to the first 200 applicants. Once capacity is reached, no additional tickets will be issued, and individuals will be turned away. The waitlist is capped at 200 applicants and will be administered using a numbered ticketing system as described above. There is no guarantee of housing placement even with a numbered ticket. 

• Identification Materials: Applicants must bring a government-issued ID or driver’s license for all household members age 18 and older, as well as a birth certificate and Social Security card for all household members. 

No Guarantee of Assistance: 

Submission of an application and placement on the waitlist does not guarantee eligibility, selection of a unit, or receipt of housing assistance, as all determinations are made in accordance with program requirements and availability.

To read the full press release with more details, click here.