Homelessness in Knoxville has reached a critical point, with more individuals living unsheltered on streets and sidewalks than at any time in the city’s history. The crisis is especially devastating for women and children, who face unique dangers and instability. Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) is already operating at full capacity, and on any given day, more than 2,000 people are seeking homeless services throughout the city. With just over 400 total beds available across all shelters, there simply are not enough places for people to go when they have no home.
Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) is responding by developing a dignified and welcoming 24/7 campus at 1507 9th Avenue that will serve women and women with children experiencing homelessness. This campus will provide safe shelter, nurturing community, and access to programming designed to help families move forward with stability and hope. The goal is to bring women and children off the streets and into a secure, life-giving environment that offers both immediate care and long-term transformation.
The 9th Avenue property is ideally suited for this purpose. It is primarily surrounded by industrial use, providing privacy while remaining easily accessible. The site is already fenced and includes ample green space, creating a peaceful setting where families can rest, grow, and rebuild their lives. KARM will invest in beautifying the space to ensure it reflects dignity and blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Every aspect of the design will be intentional, with landscaping, lighting, and architecture that complement the neighborhood and communicate a sense of safety, respect, and belonging.
Once this new campus is established, KARM’s main location on the 400 block of Broadway will transition into a men’s-only facility. This change will allow KARM to expand services for men, offering both increased capacity and 24/7 programming that promotes accountability, stability, and long-term success. By doing so, there will be no reason for men to remain on the streets as they will have continuous access to shelter, community, and transformative opportunities within a structured environment.
Together, these two campuses will create a coordinated solution to homelessness in Knoxville. Women, children, and men will each have a safe, dignified place designed to meet their specific needs. Through these efforts, KARM seeks to reduce street homelessness and build pathways to restoration, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to move from the streets into stability and hope.
