Council OKs nearly $5 million in HUD and CDBG awards for lead hazard control, eviction prevention and home repairs

City Council approved several resolutions authorizing federal and subgrantee agreements to support housing stability, lead hazard control, and eviction-prevention services. Together the actions commit nearly $5 million in HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HUD Healthy Homes/Hazard Control funding and related subgrantee contracts.

Key approvals included: - A subgrantee agreement with Knoxville Knox County Community Action Committee for up to $475,000 to support emergency and minor home repair. - A HUD lead hazard control and healthy homes initiative award for $4,077,522.62, with a required local match of $337,001.09, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,414,523.71. - A $25,000 CDBG subgrant to East Tennessee Community Design Center for conceptual design and technical assistance for roughly seven community improvement projects. - A $50,000 CDBG subgrant to Legal Aid of East Tennessee to provide legal services to low-income residents facing wrongful evictions and other housing crises. - A $385,260 CDBG subgrant to Neighborhood Housing Incorporated to support Operation Backyard's minor home repair program.

Council materials described the combined funding as intended to keep people in their homes, prevent homelessness, mitigate lead hazards and improve housing safety and health conditions. Housing and Neighborhood Development Director Kevin DeBose was on hand to answer council questions; council members remarked that the programs will help "hundreds" of low-income families and thanked staff for managing federal program requirements.

All motions passed. Several council members noted the scale of the HUD award and the importance of eviction-prevention legal services in preserving housing stability.

Outcome: Resolutions passed; city staff to execute the subgrantee agreements and implement programs consistent with HUD and CDBG program rules.