Public input on housing priorities helping Knoxville create Fair Housing Equity Plan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As part of the creation of the Fair Housing Equity Plan, the City of Knoxville Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development held a public meeting to gain feedback from the community .

“You want to come up with solutions that are actually going to make a difference, but then can also actually be implemented,” said Community Solutions Collaborative, Rob Breymaier.

To have a better understanding of what housing equity looks like in Knoxville, the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development hired Breymaier to research what changes need to be made.

“We have, you know, talked to nonprofits, service providers, to folks who are, you know, trying to make a difference in the community, and just getting their input, hearing what they think are the issues, learning from them what their hopes and concerns are, and trying to make sure that there is information that helps us with what we can do with the plan,” said Breymaier.

To receive federal funding for things like affordable housing, the City is required to implement a fair housing plan under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Undertaking it early really gave the city the opportunity to have this discussion, to have these discussions in the community before we undertake our next five-year consolidated plan, which we are going to do this summer,” said Linda Rust, community development administrator for Housing and Neighborhood Development.

To create this plan, the office is prioritizing public input, focusing on how to advance housing opportunities.

“This meeting is just one step, there are going to be other meetings as a part of this process, so we really value community and hearing the voices of our neighbors in the discussion,” said Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development, Kevin DuBose.

As someone who attended the meeting, UT Geography and Sustainability Professor, Solange Munoz urges the community to get involved and contribute to fighting the housing crisis.

“For me, it is also really nice not just as a researcher but also as someone who is a part of this city, and who actually wants to live in a more integrated city, in a more equitable city, it makes me feel like I am, hopefully, going to be part of improving the city over time,” said Munoz.

The meeting focused on the research that has been done, proposed solutions like building more houses, and how to improve community involvement.

To find out more about the plan, visit the city’s website . A new survey to gauge community perceptions regarding housing challenges is online and available through May 19.

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