Knoxville reports 2300 homeless individuals accessing services amid housing crisis

In a recent City Council meeting in Knoxville, officials provided a stark update on the growing homelessness crisis in the community. On average, approximately 2,300 individuals are accessing homeless services daily, a significant increase from just 1,000 in 2018. This surge highlights the urgent need for effective solutions as the city grapples with a lack of affordable housing and rising eviction rates.

During the discussion, it was revealed that two-thirds of individuals who became homeless in the last quarter of 2024 did so due to eviction, job loss, or an inability to find affordable housing. This trend underscores a critical issue: the inflow of individuals into homelessness is outpacing the outflow of those finding stable housing. For every four people who became homeless, only two exited the system into stable housing, indicating a troubling backlog in support services.

The concept of "functional zero" was also addressed, which refers to a state where fewer individuals become homeless than those being housed. Currently, Knoxville is struggling to achieve this goal, as the community cannot keep up with the increasing demand for housing solutions. The average time for individuals to secure housing after becoming homeless is over four months, a lengthy period that exacerbates health issues and mental health disorders among the homeless population.

Chronic homelessness, defined as being homeless for over a year with a disabling condition, has seen a troubling rise since 2018. Factors contributing to this increase include escalating housing prices and a tightening housing market. Many individuals who experience prolonged homelessness face deteriorating health conditions, making their situations even more precarious.

The meeting also highlighted the challenges within the coordinated entry system, known as CHAMP, which is designed to match clients with appropriate services. Currently, there is a significant waiting list for housing, with a need for 586 single-bedroom efficiency apartments and 91 multi-bedroom units. The lack of case management capacity further complicates the situation, as many organizations are overwhelmed and unable to take on new referrals.

As the city continues to confront these pressing issues, officials emphasized the importance of expanding housing stock and improving access to case management services. The discussions at the meeting reflect a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive strategies to address homelessness in Knoxville, as the community seeks to find sustainable solutions for its most vulnerable residents.