Static Site Shelter
As the only emergency homeless shelter option in Knox County that serves any family composition, Family Promise of Knoxville (FPK) seeks to explore models for establishing a static emergency shelter for homeless families in our community. In the last quarter of 2024, an average of 305 families (965 total individuals; 589 were children) sought housing support and shelter each day in Knoxville and Knox County. Knoxville-area shelters have been overwhelmed by requests from families, and FPK is the only shelter in Knox County that accepts two-parent families, single fathers with children, and single mothers with boys over 12 years old. FPK’s current rotational shelter model limits housing to no more than four families at a time, and they plan to consider options for creating a static emergency shelter that will enable them to increase their capacity to at least ten families at a time. In addition, a static site shelter could provide a better experience for families with children who struggle with the constant change that comes with the rotational model. Their goal is twofold: to serve more families in shelters and lessen the adverse effects of childhood homelessness by creating as much stability as possible.