Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, Inc., (CNE) was formed as a result of a challenge. Community leaders, in an effort to improve substandard housing, invited the Enterprise Foundation to do a study of housing in Chattanooga. The Enterprise Foundation wanted Chattanooga's leaders to commit to providing fit and livable housing for all citizens in 10 years. The challenge was accepted, and CNE was created in 1986 to serve as the City's affordable housing developer. To accomplish its mission, CNE plays four major roles: (1) lender or "community bank" ; (2) advocate of home ownership, which includes education and counseling; (3) developer and manager of affordable housing; and (4) facilitator of neighborhood revitalization.

CNE's flexible lending programs allow even very low income families to realize better housing. Approximately 40% of the over 60,000 households in the area meet CNE's income guidelines. Within the city limits, 71% of the families have income of $35,000 or less.

The goal of this program is to provide fit and livable housing for all citizens of Chattanooga.

Results of the program include the following:
-Over 3,460 housing units have been built, rehabilitated, or financed, representing $91 million investment.
-Budget counseling and education programs haved reached 2,683 low to moderate income individuals.
-Recongized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors with the "Partnership for Affordable Housing" award in 1990.
-Orchard Village community received the prestigious Urban Land Institute's 1994 Award of Excellence for Small-Scale Residential Development.
-85 % of the homebuyers are miniority, 43% are female head of household.
-Percentage of owner-occupied housing units has been increased
-Neighborhoods revitalized and stablized instead of leaving blight and decay.
-Historic residential resources preserved.
-Construction jobs created.