KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A housing complex set to open in December is aimed at keeping veterans who are at risk of homelessness off the street.
It's named Liberty Place and will house 32 veterans in one-bedroom apartments and will be complete with furniture, kitchenware and anything someone might need in their home. The facility will be on Division Street in West Knoxville.
It will be operated by Knoxville's Community Development Corporation, which broke ground on Liberty Place in August.
Ben Bentley, the executive director of KCDC, said the site will provide both stable housing and support through Veterans Affairs.
“All in all, this is going to be a place of comfort and refuge for folks who have given back to the community and deserve a little help right now," he said.
The apartment will have an indoor gym and outdoor space. KCDC also said people can donate items like sheets, towels and cookware to help the facility's new residents.
But they can also “adopt” units and furnish them with beds and couches for the new residents.
“Vets are going to be able to step in day one and have everything they need to live in the unit,” said Bently.
Josh Sullins, who was a Staff Sgt. for the United States Marine Corps and works for Jenkins and Stiles, said providing housing for at-risk veterans goes beyond just providing a roof and amenities.
“It goes back to our motto, 'Always faithful,'” he said. “That’s not, 'Sometimes faithful,' not, ‘Faithful when it’s convenient and sometimes on Veterans Day.' It’s always faithful.”