The Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability (OHS) is initiating a series of public listening sessions to gather valuable input for its upcoming five-year strategic plan aimed at addressing homelessness. These sessions are an opportunity for the community, including local homeless service providers and sectors like education and law enforcement, to contribute their perspectives and insights. The proposed plan, shaped by this collective input, is expected to be available by late spring 2025 and can be accessed on their website.
In recent years, significant progress has been made within the community, with service providers successfully assisting nearly 5,000 individuals in transitioning from homelessness to stable housing over the past four years. Despite these achievements, data from the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) indicates a growing trend in the number of people seeking homeless services. This figure has risen from just over 1,000 in 2018 to 1,800 in the current year, largely due to increased housing costs.
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During the second quarter of this year, 72 percent of unhoused individuals cited eviction, a lack of affordable housing, or loss of employment as the primary reasons for their homelessness. Additionally, East Tennessee Realtors reported a 56 percent increase in effective rents in the Knoxville metro area since the start of 2020, equating to an average increase of $524.
While high housing costs are a significant factor, the Office of Housing Stability recognizes that housing alone is not the sole solution. Comprehensive support systems, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, job training, and community-building efforts, are essential components in addressing homelessness effectively. The office encourages all residents of Knoxville and Knox County to participate in these discussions.
The in-person listening sessions are scheduled as follows:
– Tuesday, Nov. 5, 5:30-7 p.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W Emory Road
– Wednesday, Nov. 6, 5:30-7 p.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive
– Monday, Nov. 18, 5:30-7 p.m., Burlington Library, 4614 Asheville Highway
– Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5:30-7 p.m., South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike
For those unable to attend a session in person, input can be submitted online via the website. Additionally, residents can sign up for email updates to stay informed as the planning process progresses. Groups interested in hosting their own listening session can access Meeting in a Box materials, which will be available starting November 8.
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