KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox Area Rescue Ministries is the largest shelter provider in Knoxville. They've operated at or over capacity for the past two years.
"We've been averaging 97-105% capacity for about two years. Homelessness has just grown exponentially in our city. KARM being the primary shelter in Knoxville, we're taking a brunt of that and we're glad to just because people need a place to sleep." KARM's Chief Operating Officer Todd Gilbert said.
The Knox Community Dashboard on Homelessness reports an average of 1,914 people experiencing homelessness. At KARM they have around 300 beds which means there are many people without a place to stay.
"Problem is still we have 350 to 400 people staying with us at night and there's still many more out on the streets," Gilbert said.
He said even with capacity limits, KARM can and will operate over capacity as long as it remains safe.
"When we hit capacity, we start opening up the overflow. We have chapels, we have different places that shut down during the day that will open back up. So when the weather gets dangerously cold, we're going to keep our doors open because it can cost a life," he said.
And when bigger shelters are full, people turn to smaller ones. Ira Grimes Jr. owns the Keenan Grimes Community Outreach Center. As a smaller shelter with only 23 beds, he's already at capacity.
"I wish I had a larger facility where I could do 100 beds easily this winter. So, unfortunately, I just take what we have. We have 23 beds and make everybody nice and comfortable and squeeze in and they're safe here warm and peaceful," Grimes said.
Grimes said it's difficult having to turn people away but there's nothing he can do.
"The phone just ring, ring, ring, ring. I don't have any good news for them either. All I can tell them is call back next week and we'll see what happens," Grimes said.
Gilbert and Grimes said there needs to be more shelters but just that. They also want more to be done to help the homeless such as affordable housing and mental and physical health services.
Gilbert also said KARM is working to establish a 24/7 women's program that would give women guests all-day access inside of the building. He said that would start next month.