1423 Branson Avenue – Before and After Historic Preservation Program Funding.
Last photo courtesy of Saul Young/knoxnews.com |
Program Description
The City of Knoxville's Housing & Neighborhood Development Department is providing funding for property improvement projects for owners of historic residential buildings through the Residential Historic Preservation Program (RHPP). The priorities of this program include the preservation and stabilization of historic residential structures, creation/maintenance of affordable housing, community revitalization, and prioritization of exterior repairs in the City of Knoxville's historic neighborhoods.
Historic architecture is vital to preserving a community's character, heritage, and legacy. To maintain this historic integrity for future generations and make restoration and rehabilitation attainable for building owners, the City of Knoxville allocated funding beginning in 2015 for historic preservation projects.
Residential buildings located within H or NC overlay districts, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or deemed eligible for listing by Knoxville-Knox County Planning/TN Historical Commission are permitted to apply for funding. Residential properties that do not fit this criterion may apply for RHPP funding with the submission of additional information (i.e. age of structure, risk of building failure, location of structure, etc.). Consult program guidelines for more information regarding eligibility requirements.
Funding is provided in the form of a zero-interest, short-term construction loan, due upon completion of funded work. All funding is provided on a reimbursement basis only. Projects may be reimbursed a maximum of $200,0000 towards qualifying redevelopment costs.
Application Process
Funding for RHPP is limited; applications are available as funding allows and due no later than 5:00 pm, the second Wednesday of each month. If applications are received, the RHPP Application Review Committee will convene and score applications on the first Wednesday of the following month.
| 2025 Application Submission Dates |
2025 Meeting Dates |
| January 8 |
February 5 |
| February 12 |
March 5 |
| March 12 |
April 2 |
| April 9 |
May 7 |
| May 14 |
June 4 |
| June 11 |
July 2 |
| July 9 |
August 6 |
| August 13 |
September 3 |
| September 10 |
October 1 |
| October 8 |
November 5 |
| November 12 |
December 3 |
| December 10 |
January 7, 2026 |
Applicants will be required to complete the program application and provide required, supplemental materials to the Housing & Neighborhood Development Department for review. Staff will then schedule an on-site meeting with the applicant and discuss the goals of the project prior to committee review. Applicants may complete the fillable PDF application and submit by email, along with all supplemental attachments, to Jillian Love — Economic & Community Development Project Manager — at
[email protected]. For additional information or questions regarding the RHPP, please email or call Jillian Love at 865-215-2042.
For properties located within overlay districts that require HZC/DRB approval, applicants are required to obtain HZC/DRB approval by date of application submission to ensure plans are viable for funding. Applicants can contact Knoxville-Knox County Planning at 865-215-2500 for more information. Applicants will also be required to submit confirmation by date of application submission that a Pre-submittal Conference has been completed with the City of Knoxville Plans Review and Inspection Division, or that the applicant has an active building permit for the proposed scope of work, in order to ensure plans adhere to city building and zoning code. Applicants may contact Plans Review & Inspections for more information at 865-215-4311.