Knoxville residents are invited to attend one of six public meetings scheduled in August and September to assist the City’s Community Development Department in prioritizing the community’s need for affordable housing and services for homeless people, veterans, single mothers and other groups. 

The first public meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Burlington Branch of the Knox County Public Library (4614 Asheville Highway) on August 19, 2019. 

“Feedback from residents, community partners and social service providers ensures that we’re responding to local needs and setting priorities for both the short term and the future,” said Community Development Director Becky Wade. 

Cities that receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are required to submit Consolidated Plans (Knoxville submits every five years) as well as annual action plans to respond to more immediate community needs. Both strategic plans illustrate how the City proposes to use federal funds to address local housing and community development issues. Both depend on public input. 

At these meetings, attendees will be able to ask questions and take the Community Needs survey during a presentation moderated by City staff members. 

The survey is also online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020CPlan. Survey questions are informed by HUD and its national priorities. Responses are anonymous and will be reported in group form only. 

Meeting dates and locations: 
 
5:30 - 7 p.m. Aug. 19
Burlington Branch of the Knox County Public Library
(4614 Asheville Highway)

6 - 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20
Inskip-Norwood Recreation Center
(301 W. Inskip Drive)

6 - 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22
Deane Hill Recreation Center
(7400 Deane Hill Drive NW) 

5:30 - 7 p.m. Aug. 26
South Knoxville Community Center
(522 Maryville Pike) 

5:30 - 7 p.m. Sept. 25
O’Connor Senior Center
(611 Winona St.)

10:30 a.m. – noon Sept. 26
O’Connor Senior Center
(611 Winona St.)

Public meetings are posted at KnoxvilleTN.gov/Development and on the City’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/CityofKnoxville. 

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend one of the meetings listed above should contact Stephanie Cook at [email protected] or 865-215-2034 at least 10 days in advance. For an English interpreter, contact the Title VI coordinator Tatia Harris at 865-215-2831.

The Five-Year Consolidated Plan will develop on the following timeline:

• July - September 2019: Gather information 
• October - November 2019: Analyze and organize responses
• January 2020: Hold public meetings to report findings
• March - April 2020: Create and release draft Five-Year Plan for public comment
• May 2020: Submit plan to HUD