Decatur-based CAPNA awarded grant for 10-acre affordable housing site

BEREA, Ky. — A Decatur nonprofit program is among nine projects to share $2.4 million in Maximizing Appalachian Capacity grants through Fahe, according to a news release.

The awards will leverage $19.4 million in additional funding, build staff capacity, increase housing production, create job training opportunities, create new jobs, and serve over 600 households.

“Appalachia’s future depends on strong local institutions,” said Fahe CEO Jim King. “These awards give our members funding to pursue the tools, talent, and infrastructure they need to accelerate housing and community development across the region.”

Fahe serves as an intermediary for a diverse network of more than 50 housing nonprofits. Fahe established the new awards program to support outstanding member-led projects that will expand the capacity of Fahe Members to deliver housing, workforce, and community development solutions in one of the nation’s most economically challenged regions.

“Fahe advocates for resources to advance solutions grounded in practice,” said Fahe President Sara Morgan. “Each awarded project reflects a deep understanding of local needs and a shared commitment to building opportunity in rural and other Appalachian communities.

“We have more member projects still waiting to be funded; however, we are delighted to make these awards today.”

Decatur’s Community Action Partnership of North Alabama received $400,000 to develop a 10-acre affordable housing site for 22 homes. The location is alongside the Neighborhood Promise Training Center which will include new financial literacy programs and homebuyer assistance funds to help families achieve homeownership – advancing housing, education and economic mobility across the region.

A  committee selected nine collaborative projects from a competitive pool of 37 applications from five states with funding requests totaling $11,817,372. The potential of awarding all 37 applicants would be to leverage $230 million in additional funding and serve nearly 1,500 households.

“We’re empowering organizations that know their communities best and are ready to build their capacity to create impact,” said Dana Bezerra, regional president, Americas for CREO and awards committee member. “We’re excited to be scaling solutions that will define the next generation of opportunity in Appalachia.”