Knox Housing Partnership, Inc. (KHP) evolved from a great need for affordable, quality housing in the Knoxville and Knox County community. Families and individuals were struggling against the unfortunate business practice prevalent at the time of “redlining” neighborhoods that were low-income, blighted and otherwise problematic. Knox Housing Partnership grew from a series of protests in 1988 by a group of community activists concerned about bank “redlining” in Knoxville. “Redlining” refers to a business practice (in this case, by banks) of not lending or doing business in certain parts of a city. Years ago, a business would simply take a red marker and circle a section on the map that they chose not to do business in. This was the situation in Knoxville in the late eighties. A series of conversations began in private between community reinvestment activists and a group of thoughtful bankers. Knox Housing Trust was established, and in October of 1989, Knox Housing Partnership was chartered and then recognized by the IRS as a 501C(3) nonprofit organization.
In 1991, KHP became a NeighborWorks® America organization. NeighborWorks® America is a national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance and training for community-based revitalization efforts such as Knox Housing Partnership. NeighborWorks® has a line item on the Congressional budget under Neighborhood Reinvestment. For more information on NeighborWorks® America, please visit their website: www.nw.org KHP is very proud of to be part of NeighborWorks® America and proud to be a nonprofit that focuses on affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families throughout the City and County.
From these humble beginnings long ago and through the hard work of dedicated staff and board, KHP has become one of 244 NeighborWorks® America organizations in the U.S., and one of over 90 nationally recognized HomeOwnershipSM Centers across the country. Since joining NeighborWorks® America in l991, Knox Housing Partnership has graduated over 2000 customers from the Homebuyer Education program, and more than 1,000 have graduated into homeownership, moving from tenant status to becoming home owners with real investment in their neighborhoods and participating in the economy of their community. KHP staff are passionate about helping working families and individuals obtain homeownership.
Clearly Knox Housing Partnership is working very hard for personal housing issues for individuals and families. However, KHP’s mission carries a two-fold focus, and KHP has also been working on revitalizing neighborhoods, raising property values, and improving the quality of life in struggling neighborhoods. Earlier in this decade, KHP guided $3.4 million in New Horizon funds for work in Morningside and Pond Gap. More recently, KHP launched and completed the very ambitious construction project of renovating four houses in the 1600 block of Jefferson Avenue, investing $528,000 in the Parkridge Model Block. Property values were positively and significantly impacted by this venture. In addition, Knox Housing Partnership construction is near completion of seven homes in the Five Points and Mechanicsville neighborhoods. Over the years, KHP has rehabilitated 176 homes and has constructed over 90 new homes. KHP has also put $2.3 million into quality rental housing exclusively for seniors with 40 units at Riverbirch in Karnes and another 20 adjacent units (Willow Place).
Knox Housing Partnership continues to work to close the gap between incomes and housing costs. The majority of families KHP serves have incomes below 80% of the area’s medium income for Knox County. With the continued support of KHP’s local and national partners and with the help of caring contributors and volunteers, individuals and families will continue to be served with their housing needs well into the future.