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How Born Again Church and Urban Campus & Core are Redefining Community Development

How Born Again Church and Urban Campus & Core are Redefining Community Development

Faith-based real estate development can be tricky, mainly because the endeavor requires a congregation to take a leap of faith with men, not the higher power they serve. The key for faith-based organizations is to find a real estate developer who shares their values and will respect their mission and vision. 


Born Again Church is a congregation with a genuine grassroots beginning, which partnered with Urban Campus & Core, a Nashville-based real estate firm with a shared outlook on community involvement and meeting the needs of the North Nashville community.


Then Urban Campus & Core and Born Again Church joined forces with The Clear Blue Company to create the Northview Housing Development, a 254-unit affordable housing project for seniors in Nashville.


Representatives from Born Again Church, Urban Campus & Core, and The Clear Blue Co. celebrated a collaborative triumph at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Northview Housing Development. The 266,000-square-foot complex will be located at 876 W. Trinity Lane in the Haynes Trinity neighborhood.


This project embodies the church's mission to "reach out to our community and the world with service born of love and compassion."


“As a Nashville native, the opportunity to partner with a cornerstone of the Haynes-Trinity community, Born Again Church, was close to my heart and aligned with the mission of Urban Campus & Core to support community-inspired development,” said Jennifer Horne, CEO and Founding Partner of Urban Campus & Core. “This project addresses a population often overlooked, active workforce seniors who are a vital part of many neighborhoods. The support and investment in early-stage planning through programs like the Urban League’s RED Academy and Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, were key to making this faith-based development a reality.”


A Vision Larger Than Shelter

Born Again Church's vision is to create a safe and viable community by:


  1. Building relationships,

  2. Creating opportunities,

  3. Maximizing Resources,

  4. Speaking Truth and Knowledge, and

  5. Saving souls, one person at a time.


This vision aligns with Urban Campus & Core’s mission to transform under-resourced communities through sustainable real estate development in collaboration with community leaders. 


Matthew Nicholson, President of The Clear Blue Company, describes the Northview project as more than just constructing buildings. "We hope this will serve as an example of how developers can successfully partner with faith-based institutions to provide affordable housing in communities where it is most in need," Nicholson said.


The Northview Development project will deliver affordable housing units specifically designed for active seniors. But these aren't just apartments – they're carefully crafted spaces of opportunity and dignity.


The project reflects Born Again Church’s multifaceted solutions-oriented approach to serving its community. The church sponsors youth teams, promotes health education, and uses performing arts to serve members and the greater community. 


Born Again Church’s theme for 2025 is “The Way,” based on the message from John 14:1- 6, in which Jesus speaks to his disciples about preparing a place for them with many rooms. Jesus refers to heavenly accommodations, and the way is through The Father. 


By collaborating with private and public sector partners, Born Again Church is preparing a place for Nashville's seniors in need, echoing the commitments in the Lord’s Prayer: " Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” 


Beyond Four Walls: A Holistic Approach

What sets this development apart is its comprehensive approach to community support. The 266,000-square-foot complex will offer more than just residential units. Residents will have access to:

  • A fitness center promoting physical wellness

  • A rooftop deck for community gathering

  • Walking trails and recreational spaces

  • On-site job skills training

  • Social programming to encourage community engagement

  • Health and wellness services through a partnership with Tennessee State University


Faith in Action: Collaborative Community Development

The partnership emerged from a shared commitment to community empowerment. Through this development, Born Again Church's mission of "pointing all people to Christ" translates into practical action. By creating affordable housing for seniors earning between 40% and 80% of the Area Median Income, the church provides a path to stability and hope.


Nick Ogden, CEO of The Clear Blue Company, emphasizes the project's thoughtful design. "We've taken a careful approach to ensure Northview's design aligns with the long-term vision of the Born Again Church campus, while creating a space where our neighbors can thrive and remain in their community as they grow older."


A Collaborative Ecosystem

This type of project wouldn't have been possible without a robust support network. Key partners include:

  • Amazon Housing Equity Fund

  • Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's affordable housing team

  • Metro Planning and Codes Departments

  • THDA and MDHA

  • Regions Bank and Fannie Mae

  • Urban League's RED Academy


Senthil Sankaran from Amazon's Housing Equity Fund captured the project's significance perfectly: "The Northview Housing Development exemplifies how innovative partnerships can address critical housing needs... This represents a significant step in ensuring long-term stability for local seniors, allowing them to age in place and continue to contribute to their community."


“As the Housing Division rolls out the Unified Housing Strategy and the new Faith Based Development Initiative later this year, we hope to see more partnerships like this,” said Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.


Looking Forward: December 2026 and Beyond

Designed by STG and Thomas & Hutton and constructed by Bacar Constructors, the Northview Development is set for completion in December 2026. But its impact will extend far beyond that date.


By creating a development that provides housing and comprehensive community support, Born Again Church and Urban Campus & Core are redefining what community development can look like. They're proving that real estate isn't just about buildings – it's about people, potential, and the promise of a better community.


As Born Again Church's mission statement suggests, they're saving souls "one person at a time" – in this case, they're doing it one home at a time.


2020 Lindell Ave, Studio 11

Nashville, TN 37203

1-877-361-0788

info@urbancampusandcore.com

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