KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Local efforts to address the housing crisis are taking center stage, echoing national debates in Washington about affordable living. On November 4, Knoxville voters will decide on a half cent sales tax increase to fund housing and neighborhood projects.
Knoxville Community Development Corporation CEO Ben Bentley said that it would be a big, and necessary, step in addressing the housing crisis at a local level.
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“We have to be more reliant on our local resources, hence the need for the additional sales tax revenue,” he said. “If we want to tamp down rent increases in future years, the only way we can do that is by building more housing of all types.”
Bentley said lack of affordability is the root problem that stifles financial progress among many low-come Americans. “A little piece of the American dream becomes harder to achieve if you do not have the ability to move to economic opportunity,” he added.
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The living affordability crisis is a challenge cities all across America are facing. Christina Peay is the Chief Development & Communications Officer for the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Housing Up. The group provides housing and essential needs for low-income families. Peay said the biggest factor for her is the negative effect the crisis is having on the most vulnerable in society…