Latest news with #KCDC
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
tnAchieves hits major milestone as 50,000+ recipients graduate from college
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The nonprofit, tnAchieves, is celebrating a major milestone in the program's history. According to the group's annual report, 53,168 students who have received support from tnAchieves have graduated from college. In addition, tnAchieves found that every graduation metric included in the report saw an annual increase. The three-year graduation rate jumped five percentage points, which tnAchieves said is a historic increase in college completion. The report added that 84.7% of graduates are living and working right here in the state. Sweetwater residents supporting each other after tornado in Loudon County According to the nonprofit, the increases are being driven by the COMPLETE and Knox Promise Programs. In addition, tnAchieves said Knox Promise's 49.3% three-year graduation rate would place the program third in the country when compared to national graduation rates. To read the full report, click here. 'tnAchieves is dedicated to taking a human approach to building Tennessee's future workforce,' said tnAchieves President and CEO Krissy DeAlejandro. 'There is power in supporting a student in not only going to college but encouraging them through meaningful degree completion and into the workforce. Today these 50,000 grads are more educated, more skilled and more prepared than ever to live and work in Tennessee.' KCDC honored in D.C. for veterans housing development in Knoxville The nonprofit's mission is to support Tennessee students and keep these numbers on the rise by offering educational resources like mentors, tutors and scholarships, including the TN Promise scholarship program. With these resources, tnAchieves hopes to ensure Tennessee students are as prepared to enter the workforce as they can be while also increasing their chances of graduating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
KCDC honored in D.C. for veterans housing development in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Liberty Place in West Knoxville has earned a national honor for helping veterans. The 32-unit housing site was recognized by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC) received the Outstanding Partnership Award during the group's annual conference in Washington, D.C. The award honors groups that demonstrate creativity and collaboration. Liberty Place, which opened in November, provides permanent housing for homeless veterans. It features solar panels, ADA units, and on-site VA support. More than 25 local groups helped furnish and support the residents. This is also KCDC's first housing site dedicated specifically to veterans. Five injured after EF-0 tornado in Loudon County 'Liberty Place would not have been possible without the partnerships that were built at all levels and phases of development, ranging from local, state and federal agencies to nonprofits and community members,' KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. 'Liberty Place is a success because of these collaborations and is an example of how developments can and should work within our community to support homeless veterans.' The project was made possible with help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Knoxville Homeless Management Information System, local Volunteers of America, and The McNabb Center. Funding for the $15 million project included $2 million in federal funds, $500,000 from affordable housing funds from the City of Knoxville, $7.1 million in tax credits from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), and $1 million from the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP). Additionally, the land for the site was donated by Knox County. Veterans Voices: Hear the stories of those who served KCDC worked with local partners to stock the residents' kitchens before a significant snowstorm that was predicted shortly before the opening, and these partners continue to provide monthly food donations to the residents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Proposed cuts to HUD funding could impact thousands in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Trump Administration has released a budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year and it comes with steep cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While it is ultimately up to Congress to approve or reject the proposal, the budget suggests cutting over $26 billion from rental assistance programs and eliminating a number of housing grants and programs University of Tennessee loses $37M in grant funding amid federal funding cuts 'When I heard that they're trying to cut everything that will help with housing and stuff like that, I was like, oh wow what am I going to do now?' said Knoxville resident Ayona Twitty. 'I'm saying that comes in handy, It helps out a lot.' As a single mother living out of her car, Twitty said she is currently seventh in line on a waiting list for an apartment. But she wouldn't be able to afford it without rental assistance. 'I really don't have anybody to like watch my child or anything,' she said. 'If I don't work, I won't be able to pay my bills or take care of my daughter,' She said lately the process of trying to find an affordable home has been difficult. According to the Knoxville Community Development Corporation, thousands of people will be impacted here in Knoxville the proposed budget is approved. Proposal to slash National Park Service budget by $1B would impact communities across US 'To cut funding by 40% would have a huge impact on families, on housing, on the availability of affordable housing. It's such a large cut that it's really hard to even conceive what all of the consequences, both intended and unintended, would be,' said KCDC Executive Director Ben Bentley. He said 98% of their funding comes from HUD and they help house just under 20,000 people in Knox County. 'Generally, it would affect the housing market not just in Knoxville, but all over the country,' Bentley added. This comes at a time when KCDC has a number of projects on the way, including affordable and mixed income housing units across the county. Bentley said they are working on the next phase at First Creek at Austin, and plan to break ground on the second and third phase of the Transforming Western project in the next few months. While Twitty plans to move into a different complex, she said she is hopeful she will soon have a place to call home. ▶ See more top stories on 'I'm pretty confident that I will be getting in there,' she said. 'It's just like the whole matter of trying to like find the deposit and everything and getting the lights turned on in this and that, just trying to come up with the money to get in the house.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Te Āhuru Mōwai To Build 10 Affordable Rental Homes In Paekākāriki
Press Release – Te Ahuru Mowai Te huru Mwai is funding the project with Affordable Housing Grant support from Te Tpapa Kura Kinga Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The balance of the development cost is borrowings, provided by Te huru Mwai funding partner, … New Zealand's largest Māori-owned Community Housing Provider (CHP), Te Āhuru Mōwai, is pleased to announce the development of 10 new affordable rental homes on Beach Rd, Paekākāriki. The project aims to increase the supply of quality rental housing for local whānau at 'below market' prices. 'We are looking forward to providing new homes to whānau in Paekākāriki,' said Te Āhuru Mōwai CEO James Te Puni. 'We will be offering these homes with a 20 percent discounted rental price to make them more accessible to a wider number of whānau. Te Āhuru Mōwai is funding the project with Affordable Housing Grant support from Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The balance of the development cost is borrowings, provided by Te Āhuru Mōwai funding partner, the Community Housing Finance Agency (CHFA). Kāpiti Coast District Council's (KCDC) Community and Affordable Housing Seed Fund supported the initial assessment of the whenua, geotechnical, and wastewater management approach. This was one of several factors that influenced Te Āhuru Mōwai 's decision to build in Paekākāriki over other locations. Te Āhuru Mōwai is owned by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and has also engaged with the Paekākāriki Housing Trust (PHT) to seek guidance during the planning stages. PHT's co-chairs, Daphne Eriksen and Tina Pope, confirmed the Trust's support for the project, saying, 'we are pleased to see this development as it increases the supply of quality housing for local whānau and does so at a discounted rental. The cost of housing is a serious problem, and families are leaving the village because it's so unaffordable. It's great to see a mix of homes in the development, including two kaumātua houses.' KCDC also expressed their support for the project. Mayor Janet Holborow said 'the Community and Affordable Housing Seed Fund was established to encourage community-led housing opportunities in our district, I am excited to see that this initiative is already helping to make a difference towards addressing housing need in our wider community.' Mr Te Puni said he is hopeful that these new homes will be completed and tenanted by November 2026, and that the community will benefit from them for many years to come. An information sharing hui with locals will be at 6pm, Wednesday May 7, at St Peters Village Hall, Paekākāriki.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Te Āhuru Mōwai To Build 10 Affordable Rental Homes In Paekākāriki
New Zealand's largest Māori-owned Community Housing Provider (CHP), Te Āhuru Mōwai, is pleased to announce the development of 10 new affordable rental homes on Beach Rd, Paekākāriki. The project aims to increase the supply of quality rental housing for local whānau at 'below market' prices. 'We are looking forward to providing new homes to whānau in Paekākāriki,' said Te Āhuru Mōwai CEO James Te Puni. 'We will be offering these homes with a 20 percent discounted rental price to make them more accessible to a wider number of whānau. Te Āhuru Mōwai is funding the project with Affordable Housing Grant support from Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The balance of the development cost is borrowings, provided by Te Āhuru Mōwai funding partner, the Community Housing Finance Agency (CHFA). Kāpiti Coast District Council's (KCDC) Community and Affordable Housing Seed Fund supported the initial assessment of the whenua, geotechnical, and wastewater management approach. This was one of several factors that influenced Te Āhuru Mōwai 's decision to build in Paekākāriki over other locations. Te Āhuru Mōwai is owned by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and has also engaged with the Paekākāriki Housing Trust (PHT) to seek guidance during the planning stages. PHT's co-chairs, Daphne Eriksen and Tina Pope, confirmed the Trust's support for the project, saying, 'we are pleased to see this development as it increases the supply of quality housing for local whānau and does so at a discounted rental. The cost of housing is a serious problem, and families are leaving the village because it's so unaffordable. It's great to see a mix of homes in the development, including two kaumātua houses.' KCDC also expressed their support for the project. Mayor Janet Holborow said 'the Community and Affordable Housing Seed Fund was established to encourage community-led housing opportunities in our district, I am excited to see that this initiative is already helping to make a difference towards addressing housing need in our wider community.' Mr Te Puni said he is hopeful that these new homes will be completed and tenanted by November 2026, and that the community will benefit from them for many years to come.
