Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), along with business and community leaders and residents, officially opened Liberty Place, a 32-unit permanent supportive housing development for veterans, on Nov. 21.
The residential development, which is located at 3627 Division St. in West Knoxville, is KCDC’s first housing site specifically for veterans and provides one-bedroom units to veterans who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.
“Liberty Place provides safe and essential housing for veterans who need assistance to stabilize their life,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “It’s also important that these residents have the necessary resources to maintain that stability. Liberty Place not only provides a safe home, but also on-site supportive services to help ensure a successful transition to permanent housing.”
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) celebrates the official opening of Liberty Place, a 32-unit supportive housing development for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, on Nov. 21, 2024. Participants in the ribbon cutting included, from left: Bob Whetsel, Nadim Jubran, Vice Chair Scott Broyles, Becky Wade and Chair Kim Henry of the KCDC board; Knox County Commissioner Larson Jay; Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs; Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon; Kevin DuBose of City of Knoxville; Knoxville City Councilmembers Andrew Roberto and Gwen McKenzie; KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley; KCDC Property Manager Lanita Puckett; Robert J. Campbell and Tiffany Higginbotham of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Services Maj. Gen. Tommy H. Baker (ret.); Walter Perry of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Katie Moore of Tennessee Housing Development Agency; Jeff Lane of Wells Fargo; and Joshalyn Hundley of First Horizon.
The fully furnished units, which include 16 fully accessible ADA units, provide utilities and conveniences such as walk-in showers and on-site maintenance. Liberty Place residents are participants in the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program, a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to move veterans out of homelessness and into permanent housing.
“Our military veterans deserve the dignity of safe, supportive places to call home,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “I want to thank all the partners who have helped make Liberty Place a reality.”
The VA also will have offices onsite to offer case management services to residents that include coordination of medical services and community resources. The combination of intensive case management and long-term housing assistance will provide resources to allow the veterans to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
KCDC partnered with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to include solar panels and higher efficiency equipment including heat pump water heaters, which are a first for the organization’s housing developments. All equipment and solar panels will be monitored on an ongoing basis to track performance and efficiency data.
Additional partners include civic groups, companies and individuals that have provided the soft goods for each unit, including bedding, towels and toiletries.
“When multiple entities and agencies work together to find the best solution, the result is housing like Liberty Place,” Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said. “Veterans will receive a much-needed safety net with permanent and stable housing in a community that recognizes their service and meets their immediate needs. On behalf of Knox County, I am glad we had a role in the process.”
Funding sources for the $15 million project include $2 million in federal funds; $500,000 in affordable housing funds from the City of Knoxville; $7.1 million in tax credits from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA); $1 million from the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP); and land donated by Knox County.
Wells Fargo is providing both construction and permanent debt, and First Horizon Bank is providing tax credit equity. The architect for Liberty Place is BarberMcMurry with Jenkins & Stiles as general contractor.