KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Knoxville and Knox County are continuing to see more and more people experiencing homelessness.
The city and county are now working together and have created a new position to look at some of the data surrounding it and find solutions. Leaders released a report Wednesday that looks at a "point in time" count of adults and youth experiencing homelessness, as well as the number of available beds in various types of shelters and temporary housing.
The city and county are working together to find solutions, including creating a new position — the Executive Director of the Office of Housing and Stability. It's been filled by Erin Read.
"The numbers from the point in time count, help us understand how to direct resources to address homelessness," Read said. "It helps us understand how many people we have who are unsheltered who are living on the street."
The count found 925 people in Knoxville and Knox County on Jan. 25, 2023. Last year, that count was 1,178. According to Knoxville leaders, that number decreased by 22%, but they said several factors contributed to this.
"Most of the decrease resulted from reduced federal funding for sheltering people and families in hotels," the report said.
Also, a decrease in the number of people who were homeless that the volunteers could observe and add to the count contributed to a decrease. Knox County leaders previously said encampments where unsheltered people have become more outspread in the area.
Overall, the city and county are seeing an increase in the number of people who are homeless. Of the people they spoke to, most said the reason was due to them losing a job or being unable to afford housing.
According to Knox HMIS data, around 58% of people were homeless due to housing instability. They either could not find affordable housing or were evicted. The report found that average Knox County rents have spiked since 2020, rising above $1,400 per month and above the national and state average. Occupancy rates also dropped in the area but stayed above the national average.
Around 17% of people experiencing homelessness were fleeing domestic violence as well. Another 7% were homeless due to a "non-violent family confrontation."
Around 16% of people experiencing homelessness were also under 18 years old, data found — just under the rate of people between 35 years old and 44 years old. People under 18 years old were the third-largest age range of people experiencing homelessness.
KnoxHMIS data shows the median time someone spends homeless in the Knoxville area is 182 days, and 752 new people were added to the most recent count in the second quarter of 2023.
Another thing this report shows is the number of available shelter beds and temporary housing beds. Most are nearly full.
"Emergency shelters and supportive housing are operating at capacity," Read said. "So these important programs, especially permanent supportive housing, where we see really good outcomes are full and are doing the work that they were meant to do."
KnoxHMIS data showed that for every three people who became homeless in the Knoxville area, only one person found housing.
Anyone experiencing homelessness in the area can reach out for help by calling 211 in East Tennessee, or 311 in Knoxville.