Knoxville TN, October 8, 2025
News Summary
Knoxville, Tennessee has established a new Continuum of Care Board to tackle its homelessness crisis. The Board, comprised of community leaders and experts, aims to implement a strategic three-year plan with specific goals for reducing homelessness and enhancing services. Immediate actions include improving daytime services for homeless individuals and addressing key issues such as mental health and housing shortages. The plan emphasizes community engagement through public meetings.
Knoxville, Tennessee has taken a significant step in addressing its homelessness crisis through the formation of a new Continuum of Care Board, aimed at implementing a comprehensive three-year strategic plan to combat homelessness in the area. The Board is composed of community leaders, health care and social service experts, local government representatives, law enforcement officials, and individuals who have personally experienced homelessness. This diverse group aims to bring a holistic outlook to tackling the issues surrounding homelessness.
The creation of the Board has been in progress for about a year, with a strong emphasis placed on including those with lived experiences in decision-making processes. The Board will oversee operational decisions regarding the homeless services system, including managing data and facilitating referrals between various organizations. Notably, at least three members of the Board have experienced homelessness within the last five years, which brings critical insights to the initiative.
An essential aspect of the Board’s endeavor involves collaboration between both the City and County, as highlighted by local leaders. The newly launched three-year strategic plan outlines five key goals aimed at reducing homelessness and enhancing services. Among the proposed successes are a 15% reduction in unsheltered homelessness, achieving functional zero for veteran homelessness, and a 20% increase in the number of homeless households successfully finding permanent housing.
As part of its immediate goals, the Board plans to enhance daytime services for homeless individuals, providing crucial resources such as sanitary facilities and assistance in obtaining identification documents. The strategy will also focus on identifying gaps in existing homeless services within Knoxville and Knox County to ensure that the needs of the homeless community are adequately met. Efforts to address the significant issue of mental health and substance misuse among those accessing homeless services will also be a priority. While these factors are critical, the Board recognizes that housing shortages represent a more pressing problem contributing to homelessness.
Recent data indicates that around 74% of new clients in the Knoxville Homeless Management Information System hailed from Knox County. Among individuals utilizing these services, approximately 19% report substance use disorders, while 38% struggle with mental health issues. The ongoing opioid crisis and the rise of synthetic drugs have complicated substance misuse scenarios, warranting a multifaceted approach to the homelessness crisis in the region. Although there has been a decline in lethal overdoses since 2023, further efforts are needed to comprehensively address the underlying causes of homelessness.
Accessibility to mental health support and a shift in public perceptions of homelessness are focal points of Erin Read’s efforts in integrating homeless services with health resources. Community discussions persist around the need for basic human rights, like housing, food, and health, to be attainable for everyone. Following the Board’s monthly meetings, which are open to the public, community members are encouraged to engage and share their perspectives, fostering an inclusive approach to addressing homelessness.
Key Features of the Continuum of Care Board’s Initiative
- Composition: Community leaders, health care providers, social service experts, law enforcement, and individuals with lived experiences.
- Goals: 15% reduction in unsheltered homelessness; functional zero for veteran homelessness; 20% increase in housed families.
- Immediate Actions: Enhance daytime services; improve access to hygiene and identification assistance.
- Focus Areas: Bridge gaps in existing services; integrate mental health within homeless services.
- Community Engagement: Public monthly meetings; emphasis on community contributions.
FAQ Section
What is the goal of Knoxville’s new Continuum of Care Board?
The Board aims to address homelessness in Knoxville and Knox County through a three-year strategic plan that includes five key goals to reduce homelessness and improve services.
Who is involved in the Continuum of Care Board?
The Board consists of community leaders and experts from health care, social services, local government, law enforcement, as well as individuals with lived experiences of homelessness.
What are the immediate goals of the Board’s plan?
One immediate goal is to enhance daytime services for homeless individuals, including access to sanitary facilities and assistance with obtaining identification documents.
How can the community participate in addressing homelessness?
Monthly Board meetings are open to the public, allowing community members to engage and contribute ideas towards addressing homelessness.
Chart of Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Composition | Diverse members with expertise and lived experience |
| Goals | 15% reduction in unsheltered homelessness, functional zero for veterans, increase housing success by 20% |
| Immediate Actions | Enhance daytime services and assist with IDs |
| Focus Areas | Identify service gaps and mental health integration |
| Community Engagement | Public monthly meetings and open discussions |
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: New Continuum of Care Board Approves 3-Year Strategic Plan
- UT Daily Beacon: Housing, Food, and Health Are Basic Human Rights
- WATE: Three-Year Plan to Reduce Homelessness in Knoxville Released
- Knox News: Knoxville Homelessness Is Up
- Hoodline: Knoxville Office of Housing Stability Launches Plan
- Wikipedia: Homelessness
- Google Search: Homelessness in Knoxville
- Google Scholar: Homelessness Strategic Plans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Google News: Knoxville Homelessness
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
