3960 West Bellemeade - Before and After Homemakers Program


Program Description and Purpose

The City of Knoxville offers vacant lots and lots with substandard structures for sale to individuals, non-profit organizations and businesses. These properties have been identified by the City for acquisition to further its mission to remove blight, redevelop neighborhoods and provide affordable housing opportunities. The purchaser will be required, in almost all cases, to construct a new dwelling on the property or rehabilitate the existing structure. 

Program Procedures

The city posts a list of all available properties, with any restrictions, on this web site and in the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office in the City County Building. All properties are posted for at least 30 days before the Homemakers Program committee will act on applications. Downloadable applications are available at the top of this page, and here: Application Part 1 [PDF] & Application Part 2 [PDF] and at the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office. 

All plans must be reviewed for neighborhood compatibility. If a parcel is not buildable, applications for related residential use, such as combining with adjacent residential property or community gardens will be considered.

Applicants who wish to have their submission considered for Middle Housing should first contact Planning for a pre-application meeting prior to submitting a Homemakers application.

The city establishes a target price for each parcel. Applications with offers below the target price may be considered if the reduced price is necessary to make the project affordable to low-income homebuyers or tenants.

Homemakers Committee meetings are typically held on the last Wednesday of each month. Applications must be received in the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office, City County Building, room 532-D or preferably by email to [email protected], at least 15 days prior to the Homemakers Committee meeting, no later than 4 p.m..

Applications will only be accepted for properties on the Homemakers List at the date of application. Due to the fact that competing proposals may be received at the same Homemakers Committee meeting please ensure your proposed price and development plan is your "best and final" offer for purchase. If your offer is not accepted and the property remains on the listing in subsequent months, you may re-apply for purchase with a new application.

Once an application is approved, the purchaser will enter into a conditional sale agreement, which will specify the terms of the purchase and conditions of transfer to the purchaser. The purchaser must submit plans within 90 days of the date of the agreement for new construction or rehabilitation of an existing structure. He/she must provide a written commitment for financing for the project. The purchaser must agree to construct a dwelling or rehabilitate the existing structure within one-year following delivery of the deed. The construction/rehabilitation must commence within 180 days of the deed transfer.

Property will be transferred by Deed with restrictive covenants, a reverter clause, or other mechanism that will enforce compliance with the terms, covenants and conditions required by the Homemakers Agreement. City Council or Knoxville's Community Development Corporation's Board must give final approval of all purchases.

For additional information or to verify that a property is still available, please call 865-215-2270.