City of Knoxville - Community Development

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

CONTACT INFORMATION
Becky Wade, Director
bwade@cityofknoxville.org
Room 532, City County Building
865-215-2865
Fax: 865-215-2962

Community Development administers a variety of programs geared toward the revitalization of Knoxville's low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. In order for resources to have the greatest impact, the Department targets its programs to strategy areas that are selected periodically.

Main Line: 865-215-2120
Fax: 865-215-2962

Disability Services:
865-215-2034
TTY: 865-215-4581
Fair Housing Program:
865-215-2120
Housing Programs:
865-215-2120
Neighborhood Strategy Areas:
865-215-2120
Solutions to Problem Properties:
865-215-2120

The final version of the 2012-2013 Annual Action Plan has been submitted to the local Department of Housing and Urban Development office for approval. The plan outlines the projects and activities funded with Community Development Block Grant, HOME and Emergency Solutions Grant funds that the City of Knoxville will focus on for the 2012-2013 program year. 2012.

2012-2013 Annual Action Plan Final [PDF]
2012-2013 Annual Action Plan Appendices [PDF]

Two reports describe the accomplishments of Knoxville's Empowerment Zone (EZ) over a 10-year period that ended in 2010. The EZ program utilized a total of $25.6 million in federal funds to engage the community and spur economic development within Knoxville's inner city. For those without Internet access, copies of this report may be obtained by calling the Community Development Department at 215-2120. Ask for Gwen Winfrey.

EZ 2010 Final Annual Report [PDF]
EZ Report to the Community [PowerPoint]

The City of Knoxville is now accepting applications for the Blighted Properties Redevelopment Program. The program provides short-term development & construction financing through subsidized loans for the purpose of redeveloping and renovating unoccupied residential dwelling units, or construction on vacant properties, for sale, rent or owner occupation. Funds can be used towards acquisition, new construction of residential housing units (including site preparation), rehabilitation of housing units, utility connections, and other reasonable and necessary soft costs related to the development as approved by the Review Committee.

Program Requirements and Guidelines [PDF]
BPRP Application Part 1 [PDF]
BPRP Application Part 2 [PDF]

The Community Development Department offers low-interest loans for the complete rehab of owner-occupied homes. Click here to learn more about the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehab Program.

Are you being scammed? Scam artists are stealing millions of dollars from distressed homeowners by promising immediate relief from foreclosure when HUD-approved counseling agencies provide the same services for free.
Click here to see more details on scams, tips, and warnings.

The City of Knoxville’s Community Development Department is offering down payment assistance for the purchase of a new or fully renovated home in Knoxville.

Click here to see the sales brochure with pictures [PDF]

$8,000 in down payment assistance is available to any buyer, regardless of income, who meets certain eligibility requirements and who will occupy the home as his or her principal residence. The $8,000 deferred payment loan will be forgiven at the rate of 20 percent per year, and payments are waived as long as the home buyer remains the owner and occupant of the property.

Low-income buyers may be eligible for thousands of dollars of additional down payment assistance.

The homes are located at 2546 E. Fifth Ave., 2413 Washington Ave., 1012 Oak Ave., 3403 & 3407 Bishop St.

Call 865-215-2120 for questions about this program.

Disability Services

Façade Improvement Program (FIP)

Fair Housing

Housing Programs

Homemaker's Program

Office of Neighborhoods

PlanET

Draft CAPER, 2010-2011 [PDF]

Annual Action Plan - 2011-2012 [PDF]

2010 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice [PDF]

5-Year Consolidated Plan, 2010-2015 [PDF]

CDBG-R Plan 2009 [PDF]

Consolidated End-of-Year Review Letter from HUD [PDF]

HPRP Plan 2009 [PDF]

NSP1 Plan [PDF]

Latest NSP Quarterly Report [PDF]

Past Reports and Plans

12/15/10 - Wade Named Deputy Director for Community Development

10/15/10 - Knoxville Awarded HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant

03/22/10 - City Requests Public Input on Community Development Five-Year Plan

09/16/09 - Community Development Department Releases Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

06/22/09 - City's My Front Yard Program Revealing Success

04/15/09 - New Empowerment Zone Loan Program

03/18/09 - Annual Action Plan Developed, Public Meeting April 14

12/11/08 - Knoxville's First Group of Gold-Certified LEED Houses Opening

12/03/08 - City Seeks Comments on 2009 Action Plan

11/18/08 - New Home Repair Program Available in Empowerment Zone

11/11/08 - Public Comments Sought for Neighborhood Stabilization Program Plan

05/08/08 - Mayor Names Massey New Neighborhood Coordinator

03/25/08 - Groundbreaking for "Green" House

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROVIDES:

Programs to improve housing opportunities for lower-income homeowners, tenants and homebuyers as well as assistance to organizations serving Knoxville's homeless population.

A Fair Housing Program to promote equal opportunity in housing and to investigate complaints of housing discrimination in Knoxville.

Activities that identify vacant, blighted or problem properties and seek developers to return them to productive use.

Support for programs that assist neighborhoods in identifying and solving their own problems.

Support for programs that provide training and employment to lower-income citizens or to assist lower-income citizens in starting small businesses.

REVITALIZATION PROJECTS:

Five Points Commercial Development

Lonsdale Redevelopment

Vestal Redevelopment

ENERGY STAR:

The City of Knoxville is a proud partner of ENERGY STAR. Community Development Department's Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program have built thirteen (13) Energy Star homes and plan on building more Energy Star-certified homes.

ENERGY STAR qualified products and practices help you save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE. The ENERGY STAR label also designates superior energy performance in homes and buildings.

More information is available on the ENERGY STAR website at www.energystar.gov.