December 22, 2020
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has been awarded 25 additional Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program to help non-elderly, disabled residents secure safe and affordable housing.
The new award from HUD for $148,842 will be renewable on an annual basis and represents a net increase in affordable housing opportunities in our community. The program specifically assists disabled persons, ages 18-61, find housing in the private market.
Ben Bentley
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
“These vouchers help an especially vulnerable population,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “Our organization can help people navigate the process, and now 25 additional families will have access to affordable housing in areas across Knox County.”
KCDC received notification from HUD in November that the allocation had been approved.
Debbie Taylor-Allen, vice president of rental assistance, and the Section 8 housing staff at KCDC played a vital role in securing the vouchers.
“Debbie Taylor-Allen and the Section 8 staff do an outstanding job of identifying and pursuing these opportunities,” Bentley said. “These vouchers address specific needs in our community for affordable housing, and I commend them for their efforts. Since these vouchers are renewable on an annual basis, this is not a stop-gap solution but rather a long-term impact for low-income families.”
In December 2019, KCDC earned 38 additional Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for an additional, annual allocation of $211,589.
Housing units eligible for the program must meet established standards of health and safety, and a housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by KCDC on behalf of voucher recipients. The recipient then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
For more information about the Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program or Section 8 affordable housing in Knoxville and Knox County, contact KCDC’s Section 8 Housing office at 865-403-1234 or visit http://www.kcdc.org.
About Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville. KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing high-quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit http://www.kcdc.org.
