The City of Knoxville released its Application Packet today for agencies seeking to provide assistance for housing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This application is for federal funds to provide services to individuals and families who are currently experiencing homelessness, receiving homeless assistance or having trouble paying housing-related expenses.

The application form and instructions are posted at KnoxvilleTN.gov/citygrants.

In June, the City got notice it will be receiving $2.2 million in supplemental Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) funds from the federal CARES Act. The purpose of these funds is to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus among individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or receiving homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities.

Mayor Indya Kincannon and City staff, including Michael Dunthorn, Homeless Program Coordinator for the City’s Office on Homelessness, and Becky Wade, Director of the Housing and Neighborhoods Development Department, met with a variety of service providers to identify existing issues and those that have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and finalize a set of funding priorities that will be used to evaluate the eligible projects:

-    Rental and utility assistance (including deposits) 
-    Street outreach  
-    Services to overcome language/cultural barriers 
-    Emergency shelter improvements (physical separation and space capacity) in preparation for colder weather 
-    Increased emergency shelter space capacity and essential services for vulnerable populations (including families, Unaccompanied Youth, and the elderly) 
-    Mobile medication-assisted treatment (MAT) medical and mental health services 
-    Equity study on the Knoxville Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a database required for any recipients of ESG-CV Round 2 funding 

Mayor Kincannon encourages innovation and partnerships between organizations of different missions, capacities and experience levels to meet a mix of community needs and overall strengthen the network of area providers. Serving people of color and other underserved populations is also a priority.

To receive funds, service providers must meet HUD regulations. ESG-CV recipients will not be required to provide matching funds for grant amounts they receive. Grant proposals should be for $50,000 minimum and address how the proposed project will minimize community transmission and/or mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

All applicants must attend one of two technical assistance workshops being held online at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Sept. 14. These sessions will provide specific information on application details, program requirements and assistance available to applicants.

Applicants with questions about the grant application process or the technical assistance workshops should contact Hope Ealey at 865-215-2290 or [email protected].

Applications must be received by Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 at 12 p.m (noon). There are several ways in which applications may be submitted, including by email. Please see the Application Instructions in the Application Packet for more information.  

For more details about the City’s support of homelessness services and housing programs, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/Development.