Bank of America Knoxville Market Executive Lina Kornmeyer and Knoxville Market President Terry Cline volunteer on the first build day of the 2022 Knoxville Habitat CEO Build, presented by Bank of America. Kathy Westbrook

KNOXVILLE -– At least one in eight Tennessee households spends over half of their income on housing, and the number of Knoxville families who are cost-burdened by the rapidly growing housing costs continues to rise. This lack of attainable housing can leave local workers in healthcare, education and a variety of service industries unable to afford to live in the communities they serve.

The Knoxville Habitat CEO Build, presented by Bank of America, is an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing need for available workforce and affordable housing in our region.

“Bank of America is honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity and so many community leaders to help address the affordable housing crisis in Knoxville,” said Terry Cline, Bank of America Knoxville Market President. “We know that people cannot climb the economic ladder and find financial security without access to safe and affordable housing, and we are dedicated to leading the effort to combat the growing problem in Knoxville and around the world.”

Knoxville Utilities Board President/CEO (and Knoxville Habitat Board of Directors Chair) Gabe Bolas volunteers on the first build day of the 2022 Knoxville Habitat CEO Build, presented by Bank of America. Kathy Westbrook

Bank of America has been a longtime supporter of Knoxville Habitat’s homeownership program, including the organization’s homeownership education program that every future homeowner family must complete as they build and purchase their home. This educational program includes one year of weekly budgeting classes, home maintenance and gardening.

Future Knoxville Habitat for Humanity homebuyers Rodney and Lillian* raise a wall of their future home at the 2022 Knoxville Habitat CEO Build, presented by Bank of America. Kathy Westbrook

The 2022 Knoxville Habitat CEO Build home is being built with future Knoxville Habitat homeowners Lillian,* who works in food service, and warehouse manager, Rodney.* Together, the couple have raised three children, with two still living at home.

In 2021, Lillian experienced sudden health issues that led to a life-saving surgery. As well as her health challenges, they have faced living challenges in the rental they occupy. After difficult years that have both challenged their family and brought them closer together, Lillian and Rodney decided they wanted to find a way to purchase their forever home. The family looks forward to a more stable and brighter future in their new, affordable home.

“It is a blessing I can’t even put into words,” says Lillian. “I’m so excited.”

Local leaders and Knoxville Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors join future Knoxville Habitat homebuyers Rodney and Lillian on the first day of the 2022 Knoxville Habitat CEO Build, presented by Bank of America. Kathy Westbrook

Through the support of Bank of America along with additional Knoxville-area business leaders and sponsors, Lillian and Rodney’s family will now experience the stability that comes with affordable homeownership.

The 2022 Knoxville Habitat CEO Build is taking place in Ellen’s Glen, a new neighborhood situated in a quiet, peaceful area of East Knoxville that will include 35 single-story homes, sidewalks and underground utilities.

*Due to the privacy of our family partners, first names only have been used.

About Knoxville Habitat for Humanity
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit, Christian housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs. Knoxville Habitat has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1985 and builds homes in partnership with families and individuals in need of a safe and affordable place to live. Knoxville Habitat also serves low-income seniors through critical home repair so they can live independently, more comfortably and more safely in their homes. Families are very much invested in the process of buying their new homes, and they pay mortgages like anyone with a traditional home loan. In addition to their affordable mortgage, each family contributes hundreds of hours of sweat equity, most of which are spent in classes learning how to budget and become a responsible homeowner. Volunteers and future homeowners provide the labor in building the homes, while tax-deductible donations of money, land and materials are provided by individuals, organizations and corporations.

Knoxville Habitat is also a Veterans Build Affiliate with Habitat for Humanity International, part of a national effort to provide affordable homes for local men and women who have served our country, as well as a Cost of Home affiliate working toward policy solutions to address the need for home affordability in local communities, the state of Tennessee and nationwide.

Knoxville Habitat has worked with over 700 families in Knox County. For more information or to donate, visit knoxvillehabitat.com.

About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect on Twitter.