KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — People had the chance to share their ideas and values with Knoxville leaders on Tuesday, as they worked on the city's Fair Housing Equity Plan.
Knoxville leaders held a public meeting where they could gather input on the plan at the Cansler Family YMCA. A consultant helping the city create the plan, from Community Solutions Collaborative, attended the plan to discuss how equity plans work to reduce disparities and improve housing outcomes for everyone while also increasing prosperity across the city.
"We would hope that after five years, there would be less disparity across the community — both by its geography and the different protected groups within the Federal Fair Housing Act. So, the idea is that in the end, everybody will have benefited by the plan," said Rob Breymier, the consultant.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires Knoxville to have a Fair Housing Equity Plan to try and make sure everyone in the city has the chance to find housing. It addresses racial and ethnic segregation while also examining areas where people are the most impoverished.
The plan is also meant to identify areas of opportunity where Knoxville can improve, finding policies and programs that can help address housing issues.
Anyone with questions about the plan can reach out to city leaders by emailing FairHousing@KnoxvilleTN.gov.