Franklin awarded $1 million for six affordable homes in Dixon Grove

The City of Franklin announced on Sept. 8 that it has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant to build six affordable housing units in the Dixon Grove neighborhood.

Mayor Larry Dixon invited Jolie, director of the local housing authority, and Matt, who led the grant application, to present the project to the commission. Jolie thanked city leaders and the Department for Local Government for supporting the project, saying, “It was so exciting to get a call on Friday from Matt to tell us that we were gonna be the recipient of 1000000 dollar grant to go towards affordable housing.”

Matt outlined the planned unit mix: “It'll be 3 1 bedroom houses, 2 2 bedroom houses, and, 1 3 bedroom unit.” City staff said the $1,000,000 is a significant step but will not cover a larger development given current construction costs.

Officials described the next steps as an evidentiary process: the city must execute a grant agreement, complete environmental assessments and other conditions before funds are released. Staff said the site is vacant and they do not anticipate displacement.

Why it matters: Simpson County faces an identified rental-housing gap and city leaders said the grant addresses immediate needs for affordable units while officials continue to pursue additional funding. Jolie noted the grant application used recent local studies to justify need and improve competitiveness.

What’s next: Staff said, if environmental and contract steps proceed, the city could receive a release of funding early next year and begin site work in spring 2026. The commission did not take any additional formal action at the Sept. 8 meeting beyond the recognition/announcement.