Yesterday, in reviewing Patti Smith’s new book, I posted her story about communications among departments in a previous city administration. As downtown was starting to redevelop, city engineering refused on-street parking on a small section of Gay Street and would not budge. So, a “citizen” sprayed gray paint over the yellow stripe that prevented parking. The city reacted quickly – by installing two parking meters in the space. They’re probably still there.

Which brings us to this week’s situation. With cold weather here, the city announced the opening of four “warming centers” for homeless folks (details below). Meanwhile, the city fire marshal shut down a shelter where the Vestal United Methodist Church was housing folks in its former education wing.

Discussion ensued on social media (Facebook, Vestal United Methodist Church):

This past week, the city of Knoxville created 15 new homeless people.

These people were temporarily homed in Vestal Villas, a building adjacent to Vestal United Methodist Church in South Knoxville. There they had a bed, a roof over their heads, running water, bathroom facilities, full access to a kitchen including a stove and refrigerator, and a compassionate team of people on their side, helping them towards their next step of independence. …

Pastor Tim Jackson and his team are all working so hard. … They are managing needs, wants, bellies, health, feelings and the souls of our homeless people with humility, grace and the biggest hearts ever.

The city of Knoxville has evicted all of these residents stating that the building is not up to code. … Kicking them out on the streets while the temperatures are in the 30s at night is a truly terrible act. Cruel. The city of Knoxville needs to make this right.

Yikes!

I reached out to Mayor Indya Kincannon: “What’s the plan for the folks just evicted from Vestal UMC? Really bad optics on Thanksgiving eve.”

Kincannon responded at 10:44 p.m. Wednesday. At first, she mentioned the warming centers. Then she dug deeper. She said significant safety issues existed at Vestal Villas and the fire marshal ordered it closed about 10 days ago. The church had been advised of the issues in July. She said church officials found the residents alternate housing.

Safety issues included heaters blocking exits and no working toilets, she said. “Vestal UMC folks came to city council Tuesday and know that we are glad to help them come up with a viable plan to become a permanent shelter.”

Kincannon recalled that during the ice storm last year the Vestal UMC’s sewage system failed after a couple of days and everyone was transferred to the city rec center nearby.

“Anyhow, it’s a hard situation and we are working in good faith with all willing partners.”

Warming Centers

Four United Methodist churches will serve as warming centers to accommodate people who would otherwise sleep outside. The centers are coordinated by the Joint Office of Housing Stability for Knoxville and Knox County. These locations will be open as warming centers December 1 through February 28 when temperatures are 25 degrees and below:

  • Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Avenue, Hours: 6 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. To volunteer, contact VUMC via Facebook.
  • Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Magnolia Avenue, Hours: 6 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. To volunteer, contact MAUMC on Facebook.
  • Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Ave., opens Sunday if needed. To volunteer, email erin.read@knoxtnhousing.org or call 865-599-7475.
  • Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pike, Hours: 7 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. To volunteer, contact erin.read@knoxtnhousing.org or call 865-599-7475.

Local businesses are stepping up to feed people at the warming centers, and the donated blankets and bedding from January 2024 have been laundered and are ready to use again. To volunteer, email Erin Read. Anyone in need of a warming center should contact KPD’s non-emergency line at 865-215-4010 to find the nearest location.

Mayors Announce Joint City County Office on Housing Stability

In late April 2023, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs announced the Joint Office of Housing Stability. They named Erin Read as director. Read had worked at the Knox County Health Department since 2010, most recently as division director of substance misuse response.

Read said through partnerships we can “set a course to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.”

She can be reached at Erin.Read@KnoxTNHousing.org.

Burchett on tariffs, Matt Gatz and the US/Mexican border

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett is interviewed by Jim Acosta on CNN. It’s a “C’mon, Tim” and “C’mon, Jim.” affair. Watch it here.