Funding approved for four affordable rental units in Hardin Valley
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
An 84-unit housing development planned for Hardin Valley received some questions from the Knox County Commission last week. The approval of $1 million in federal funding to finance four low-income units within the complex passed in a 9-3 vote.
Fifth District Commissioner Angela Russell led the opposition to the funding of the four rental housing units at what will be the Scenic View at Hardin Valley. She said the complex is being built on “very expensive property” and the funding from the HOME project of the U. S. Department of Housing will allocate about $400,000 per unit. Russell said the units will not benefit underprivileged people and uses tax dollars.
She questioned who will set the income cap for occupants.
Several commissioners commented on the commission’s approval of using the funding. Shane Jackson asked if refusing to allocate the federal funding could jeopardize the county’s standing with future federal funding. Jenny Holden, the county’s Senior Director of Grants and Community Development, replied it could.
“It would be difficult to explain,” Holden told the commission.
The federal funding requires no local matching money. There was some discussion of placing the four affordable units in Hardin Valley, one of the fastest growing upper-income areas.
Deputy Law Director Mike Moyers said if the county develops a pattern of turning down funds for certain areas it could affect future federal grants. Russell said she was opposed to using the funding in expensive property.
Chairwoman Gina Oster said she favors using the funds “because of where it is located” and noted the nearby schools and the four units would possibly “give them a foot up” and is needed.
Commissioner Andy Fox said he opposed the grant because it involves federal funding.
Voting “No” on the federal grant were Russell, Fox and Rhonda Lee.
The commission also voted to accept a federal award of $ 100,000 for the operation and conduct of the Broadband Readiness Community Program, and postponed improvement programs at Tipton Station Road, Kingston Pike and Ebenezer Road, and Coward Mill Dam.
A utility easement for the Knoxville Utilities Board at 8050 Oak Ridge Highway was approved for the Knox County Sportspark.
The anticipated discussion of adopting the Residential Infrastructure Development Act was postponed until the commission’s January meeting.
First District Commissioner Damon Rawls honored the late Knoxville poet Nikki Giovanni, a 1961 graduate of Austin High School. The commission recognized two Hardin Valley High School champions: the boys cross country and Special Olympics Unified Sports Flag Football Teams.
