VOUCHERS

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS

Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) allow participants to select any qualifying market rent apartment in the private rental market. The residents will pay a percent of their adjusted current income, and the housing voucher will provide the difference to the participating landlord.

KCDC must provide 75% of its vouchers to applicants whose income does not exceed 30% of the area median income. Median income levels are published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

During the application process, KCDC will collect information on family income, assets and family composition. KCDC will verify this information with other local housing agencies, your employer and bank, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.

If KCDC determines that your family is eligible, KCDC will put your name on the waiting list. Once your name reaches the top of the waiting list, you will be contacted to complete a full application and provide all required documentation.

SPECIAL PURPOSE VOUCHERS

Special Purpose Vouchers are a type of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, administered by KCDC. When used with Continuums of Care (CoCs) and other partners, these programs offer unique opportunities to target rental assistance resources to specific populations to advance a community’s plan to end homelessness, support a community’s equity outcomes, and offer ways to engage with people with lived experience of homelessness and involvement with various systems.
HUD-VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (HUD-VASH) HUD-VASH VOUCHER

Through the HUD-VASH program, KCDC administers subsidized housing vouchers that allow homeless veterans in the agency’s service area to obtain safe, affordable and permanent residence. Additionally, Veterans Affairs (VA) social workers provide case management and develop treatment plans to support veterans as they transition out of homelessness. This program is intended to assist chronically homeless veterans. Applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify.

HUD-VASH PROJECT-BASED VOUCHERS (HUD-VASH PBV)

Through the HUD-VASH program, KCDC administers subsidized housing vouchers and project-based vouchers that allow homeless veterans in the agency’s service area to obtain safe, affordable, and permanent residence. Additionally, Veterans Affairs (VA) social workers provide case management and develop treatment plans to support veteran as they transition out of homelessness. These programs are intended to assist chronically homeless veterans. A referral is required from the VA for these programs. If interested, please inquire with the VA Homeless Team at 865-670-2369. 

    FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM (FUP)

    The Family Unification Program (FUP) is a Housing Choice Voucher program offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help young adults and families in need. If interested, please inquire with the Department of Children’s Services office at 865-329-8879.

    FOSTER YOUTH TO INDEPENDENCE (FYI)

    The Foster Youth to Independence program (FYI) is a Housing Choice Voucher program offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help young adults transition out of foster care. Unlike the Family Unification Program (FUP), FYI is only for youth who have been or are in foster care. If interested, please inquire with the Department of Children’s Services office at 865-329-8879.

    MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS

    Mainstream Vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities and are administered using the same rules as other Housing Choice Vouchers. Funding and financial reporting for Mainstream Vouchers is separate from the regular tenant-based voucher program. Eligible persons that apply for the tenant-based voucher will be added to the Mainstream Voucher waiting list if there are vouchers available.

    PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER

    Project-Based Vouchers are attached to a specific unit whose landlord contracts with the state or local housing authority to rent the unit to families and individuals with low income.

    Effective June 1, 2025, the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) waiting lists will be maintained by the property owners of KCDC-contracted PBV developments. The names and contact information of applicants on KCDC’s PBV waiting lists as of May 31, 2025, will be provided to the respective property owners, who will then add them to their project's waiting list.

    When a unit becomes available, the property owner will select a family from the waiting list and refer them to KCDC for final eligibility determination. KCDC will assess the family’s income and overall program eligibility before the owner may extend an offer of housing. Property owners may not offer a unit to any applicant until KCDC confirms the applicant’s eligibility for the PBV program.

    This process eliminates the need for duplicate waiting lists and streamlines coordination between property owners and KCDC. Property owners are responsible for maintaining complete and accurate records in accordance with all applicable PBV waiting list administration requirements.

    Applicants interested in Project-Based Voucher units will now apply directly with the property of their choice. The KCDC Rental Assistance office will accept applications accompanied by a referral form issued by the property owner.

    To apply for Caswell Manor, Minvilla Manor, Flenniken Landing, The Willows at Third Creek and Maple Grove Apartments, applicants must be referred through the CHAMP system to ensure that this resource is equitably distributed to those most vulnerable in our community. These Permanent Supportive Housing units are designed for those who meet HUD criteria for Chronic Homelessness and who have expressed a desire to work with case management.

    Community members can inquire about the CHAMP system at local homeless service providers or visit: https://knoxhmis.sworpswebapp.sworps.utk.edu/champ/ to apply.

    Family-style properties

    Elderly properties

    Disabled properties

    • Caswell Manor: 1505 East Fifth Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
      • 1 bedroom
    • Minvilla Manor: 447 N Broadway St., Knoxville, TN 37917
    • Flenniken Landing: 115 Flenniken Ave., Knoxville, TN 37920
      • Efficiency
      • 1 bedroom
    • The Willows at Third Creek: 1010 Cox St., Knoxville, TN 37917
      • 1 bedroom
    • Maple Grove Apartments: 1125 Baker Ave., Knoxville, TN 37920
      • 2 bedroom

    Elderly or disabled properties

    • The Village at Holston Place: 4704 Holston Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914; 865-637-1679 
      • 1 bedroom
      • 2 bedroom

    Parents with child properties

    Veteran with HUD-VASH voucher properties

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