[Damon Rawls]

Good Afternoon Commissioners,

I wanted to bring this information to your attention regarding our homelessness population. https://knoxhmis.sworpswebapp.sworps.utk.edu/dashboard

As of first quarter 2024, an average of 1,798 people were seeking homeless services each day. Two-thirds reported they are homeless for economic reasons: couldn’t find affordable housing, got evicted, or lost their job. 58% are white, 30% are Black, and 12% are another race. Most come from Knoxville or Knox County. For every five people who became homeless in Knoxville and Knox County in first quarter 2024, two exited the system housed.

Median time spent in homelessness was 185 days. This number has been increasing for several years as the housing market has tightened.

Also, there are some stats that don’t appear on this page:
–According to our annual point in time count from 2023, the number of homeless individuals in Knoxville and Knox County is 30% above the ten-year average.

— According to the Medical Examiner’s Office, an unhoused person dies every three days in Knoxville/ Knox County.

I hope this is helpful information as we make decisions that impact this population in our community.

[Kim Frazier]

This is very helpful information, Commissioner Rawls. CAC also has some insightful information, as well as, Director Caldwell. He has a very informative single audit report regarding all grants.

[Andy Fox]

I don’t think anyone disputes that there is a homeless population. The existence of a homeless population does not warrant, ipso facto, the application of tax dollars to address the issue. I believe this is the province of churches and charity, not government.

[Kim Frazier]

To clarify, the grant funding in question has already been appropriated. I encourage all Commissioners to have individual discussions with the Mayor’s staff and county departments to further discuss.

[Author]

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