South Knoxville's Flenniken Landing

From left to right: Ms Ginny Weatherhouse, Executive Director of Volunteer Ministries Center , HUD Knoxville Field office Director Ed Ellis, Mark Allen, project architect and other dignitaries

HUD Knoxville Field Officer Ed Ellis, along with elected officials; community leaders; and neighborhood residents celebrated the dedication of the 48-unit permanent supportive housing development located in South Knoxville. Flenniken Landing will provide housing for homeless who have been referred by case workers and who then pass a lengthy application process.

Flenniken closed as an elementary school approximately 20 years ago, and stood as a vacant building, slowing deteriorating and falling down, a place for pigeons to roost, until Knoxville Leadership Foundation (KLF) purchase the building in early 2009. Chris Martin, president of KLF, said he was glad to finally celebrate a structure that has been "in the works for 20 years. As a faith-based organization, I believe this project is here because He wants it to be here," Martin said.

The estimated cost of the project is approximately $7 million. HUD provided funds (SHP; NSP-1; TCAP; CDBG; and HOME) through the city of Knoxville and the non-profit of approximately $2.8 million. The market rate for rooms is about $500 per month, with tenants having to pay some of the rent. The project is being managed by American Apartment Management Company of Knoxville. Volunteer Ministry Center, Inc. will provide case management to the tenants. In addition, other agencies in the Knoxville area will provide support to the tenants and the project.

Today Flenniken Landing is no longer a vacant building, and eye sore to the community. Today it stands as a certified energy efficient building; that will house and provide services to individuals that are no longer homeless. Today the new residents are on the road back to being productive citizens of the community.

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