June 24, 2026, 2:09 pm
When We Walk By takes an urgent look at homelessness in America, showing us what we lose—in ourselves and as a society—when we choose to walk past and ignore our neighbors in shelters, insecure housing, or on the streets. And it brilliantly shows what we stand to gain when we embrace our humanity and move toward evidence-based people-first, community-driven solutions, offering social analysis, economic and political histories, and the real stories of unhoused people.
“Readers will come away infuriated, with a greater understanding of the systemic causes of homelessness, and with more compassion for their homeless neighbors. Essential reading for any community affected by homelessness (which is all of them).” —Booklist, Starred Review
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KNOXVILLE - Last night, Knoxville City Council supported Mayor Indya Kincannon’s proposal to provide more than $300,000 in funding to five community non-profit organizations that are serving individuals experiencing homelessness – or proactively working to avert homelessness.
Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to execute these agreements::
• Salvation Army – $65,000 – for emergency shelter through the Joy Baker Center
• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee – $30,000 – emergency shelter, Samaritan Place
• Volunteer Ministry Center – $54,720 – emergency shelter and essential services, VMC Dental Clinic and Resource Center
• Volunteer Ministry Center – $40,000 – rapid re-housing services
• Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee – $65,000 – rapid re-housing services
• Community Mediation Center – $25,000 – eviction mediation services
• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee – $25,000 – updated security system, Samaritan Place
In the coming year, despite a lean budget, the City has increased its funding for initiatives to reduce housing instability. Additional contracts related to housing will come to Council later this summer.
In other matters:
Northwest Greenway Connector
Council authorized the Mayor to amend an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Specifically, the total project investment is expected to increase to $7.3 million, and the greenway extension is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31, 2028. The City is paying a 20 percent local match.
The City constructed the original Northwest Greenway that connected Victor Ashe Park and Western Avenue, and TDOT constructed a pedestrian bridge over Western Avenue where the greenway connects. The City’s Phase II extends the greenway 6,800 feet from the bridge to Middlebrook Pike.
The extra expense involves construction of retaining walls, safety features and ADA compliance in repurposing a lane of lightly-traveled Third Creek Road into a shared-use path. The design change was necessary due to limited right-of-way and the close proximity of Third Creek.
Capital Improvements
Council approved and adopted Mayor Kincannon’s proposed $40 million 2026-27 Capital Improvements Budget – the biggest single item being $11.5 million for street repavings.
Next year’s capital budget also includes $4.5 million for Western Heights infrastructure – part of the City’s $26.5 million six-year commitment to the KCDC-led $200 million Transforming Western initiative.
Other capital items: Washington Pike corridor improvements, $2 million; Chilhowee Park improvements, $2 million; First Creek at Austin connector, $1.5 million; James White Parkway Bridge Greenway, $1 million; and renovation of Fire Station No. 15, $900,00/0.
