3960 West Bellemeade - Before and After Homemakers Program

Homemakers Committee meetings are typically held on the last Wednesday of each month. Applications must be received in the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office, City County Building, room 532-D or preferably by email to [email protected], at least 15 days prior to the Homemakers Committee meeting, no later than 4 p.m.

Program Description and Purpose

The City of Knoxville’s Housing & Neighborhood Development Department offers vacant lots and lots with substandard structures for sale to individuals, non-profit organizations and businesses. These properties have been identified by the City for acquisition to further its mission to remove blight, redevelop neighborhoods and provide affordable housing opportunities. The purchaser will be required, in almost all cases, to construct a new dwelling on the property or rehabilitate the existing structure. 

Program Procedures

The City posts a list of all available properties, with any restrictions, on this web site and in the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office in the City County Building. All properties are posted for at least 30 days before the Homemakers Program committee will act on applications. The downloadable application is available at the top of this page or at the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office/ 

All plans must be reviewed for neighborhood compatibility. If a parcel is not buildable, applications for related residential use, such as combining with adjacent residential property or community gardens will be considered.
 
The City establishes a target price for each parcel. Applications with offers below the target price may be considered if the reduced price is necessary to make the project affordable to low-income homebuyers or tenants.

Applications will only be accepted for properties on the Homemakers List at the date of application. Due to the fact that competing proposals may be received at the same Homemakers Committee meeting, please ensure your proposed price and development plan is your "best and final" offer for purchase. If your offer is not accepted and the property remains on the listing in subsequent months, you may re-apply for purchase with a new application.

All plans must be reviewed for neighborhood compatibility. If a parcel is not buildable, applications for related residential use--such as combining with adjacent residential property or community gardens--will be considered.

To ensure plans are viable according to City building and zoning code, applicants will be required to complete a Pre-Submittal Conference with the City’s Plans Review & Inspections Department prior to submitting a Homemakers application. Applicants who wish to have their project considered for Middle Housing must indicate an interest in Middle Housing during their Pre-Submittal Conference to confirm the project conforms to Middle Housing design standards.

Preliminary plans for new construction or rehabilitation of an existing structure are required at time of application submission; proof of funding is strongly encouraged. Please consult program application for more information regarding complete list of supplemental application materials required. Once an application is approved, the purchaser will enter into a conditional sale agreement, which will specify the terms of the purchase and conditions of transfer to the purchaser. The purchaser must submit final plans – as approved by Plans Review & Inspections – within 90 days, and written commitment of funds for financing of the project within 120 days, of the date of the agreement. The construction/rehabilitation must commence within 180 days of the deed transfer. 

Property will be transferred by Deed with restrictive covenants, a reverter clause, or other mechanism that will enforce compliance with the terms, covenants and conditions required by the Homemakers Agreement. City Council or Knoxville's Community Development Corporation's Board must give final approval of all purchases.

The purchaser must agree to construct a dwelling or rehabilitate the existing structure within one year following delivery of the deed. If a Homemakers property is approved for rental to a household with income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income, the initial tenant agreement must be for a period of no less than six months following project completion.

For additional information or to verify that a property is still available, please call 865-215-2270 or email [email protected].