Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council OKs $800,000 in CDBG funding for home‑repair and emergency assistance programs
Summary
Council approved a $450,000 subgrant to Knoxville‑Knox County Community Action Committee and a $350,000 CDBG award to Neighborhood Housing Inc. for Operation Backyard, with staff clarifying that CDBG is federal entitlement funding for the city.
The City Council approved two Community Development Block Grant allocations on July 21: up to $450,000 as a subgrant to the Knoxville‑Knox County Community Action Committee to support emergency and minor home repairs (Resolution 12g), and up to $350,000 to Neighborhood Housing Inc. to support Operation Backyard's minor home repair program (Resolution 12h).
Both items were moved, seconded and approved on voice votes. Council members noted the programs help elderly residents and veterans. Councilman Gouren described a recent personal experience with Operation Backyard assisting an elderly family member and voiced support for continuing funding for those services.
Councilman Honeycutt asked staff to clarify the source of the funds. Kevin DuBois of housing and neighborhood development explained that Knoxville is an entitlement city that receives CDBG funds directly from the federal government and that the city uses those funds to address local housing needs through identified priorities. He said the city's office works with community partners to direct funds toward high‑need areas.
The resolutions authorize the mayor to execute the agreements and disburse the funds to the named organizations; implementation details, including vendor contracts and reporting requirements, were not specified in the meeting record.
