Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has earned high-performer status from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) following an assessment review.
KCDC’s high-performer status for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, falls under the Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP), the federal agency’s primary tool for evaluating Section 8 performance.
The SEMAP review considers 15 performance indicators related to rent calculation, rental rates, leasing and unit quality. KCDC earned a score of 105 percent after receiving maximum points in all categories in addition to a bonus for the use of mixed income housing and deconcentrating poverty.
KCDC administers several Section 8 housing programs that provide housing assistance to low-income families in the private rental market, including The Housing Choice Voucher Program, which includes Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) and Homeownership programs, the Moderate Rehabilitation Program and Family Self-Sufficiency programs. KCDC receives approximately $22 million per year to fund up to 4,008 vouchers for Section 8 housing.
“I am particularly proud of the bonus points in this evaluation, as they indicate that the majority of families in KCDC’s Section 8 voucher programs find homes in low-poverty areas,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “Studies show that area of residence can influence future educational and employment success, and this is another way that KCDC can help improve quality of life for the residents we serve.”