CAC Housing and Energy strengthens neighborhoods by using energy efficient and cost-saving measures to repair existing housing and improve the quality of life for low to moderate income residents of Knoxville and Knox County.
Services Include:
Applicants must meet income and other eligibility requirements for all of these services.
We are located in the lower level of the Ross Building
2247 Western Avenue
(865)244-3080 Office
(865)544-1647 Fax

Lead Abatement
THE KNOXVILLE LEAD-SAFE and HEALTHY HOMES PROGRAM
The Knoxville Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes Program is designed to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental and owner-occupied housing.
To qualify:
- The unit must be located within the City of Knoxville.
- The unit must have been built prior to 1978.
- Owner-Occupied units must have one of the following:
- a child under the age of 6 who resides in the unit, or
- a child under the age of 6 who spends a “significant amount of time” in the unit, or
- a pregnant woman who resides in the unit
- Rental units do not require a qualifying child occupant at the time of assistance.
- Rental units do require landlord permission.
- Vacant Rental units are eligible for assistance as well.
- Total household income must be below 80% of Area Median Income.
For additional information about the program, call (865) 244-3080 Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Training House
The Knox County Community Action Committee Training House is designed to train participants in the newest weatherization, lead safety, and home repair techniques. It’s unique design allows one to see the different types of construction and to model a variety of training scenarios.
call (865) 244-3080 Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM.
Knox County Housing Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Housing Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Home Rehabilitation is available for eligible Knox County, City of Knoxville, and City of Morristown home owners to bring their primary residence into compliance with local codes and provide safe, decent housing for lower income individuals and families.
This program is not intended to be used for homeowners who intend to sell their property upon completion of repairs.
General Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant agrees to fulfill all program terms and conditions.
- The household income must be at or below current 80% of area median income.
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Must own the home and it must be your primary residence.
- Single Family Site Built or Manufactured (Mobile) Homes.
- Condos and duplexes are acceptable as long as the repairs are not common interest of attached residences.
Family Size | Annual * |
---|---|
1 | $40,900 |
2 | $46,750 |
3 | $52,600 |
4 | $58,400 |
5 | $63,100 |
6 | $67,500 |
7 | $72,400 |
8 | $77,100 |
“Annual” is listed as 80% of your household’s annual income. For additional household members, contact CAC Housing & Energy Services.
There are two components: Emergency Home Repair and Minor Home Repair.
Emergency Home Repair
Learn More >
Minor Home Repair
Learn More >
To obtain an application, you will need to call us to set up an in-office appointment.
Information you will need when applying:
- Completed, eligible program application.
- Provide proof of household income.
- Provide proof of ownership.
- Provide flood insurance if applicable.
Emergency Home Repair
Emergency Home Repair Grants up to $24,999.99 are available at no cost to an applicant. Grant funds can only be used to eliminate threats to the life, safety, or health of home occupants. You will review and approve eligible repairs prior to work starting on your home!
Types of Emergency Repair:
- Failure of heating, air conditioning, or plumbing/septic system;
- Malfunctioning hot water equipment;
- Roof repairs or replacement;
- Electrical and gas line repairs;
- A structural failure of the home;
- Accessibility need;
- Environmental hazards such as asbestos, lead, mold or radon;
- Non-functioning doors and/or windows;
- Destructive pest damage;
- Other emergency conditions that could cause the home to be uninhabitable.
Additional Requirements for Emergency Repair:
- Repairs for external housing systems (i.e. septic systems), in the case of a manufactured home situated on leased land, are not eligible under this program;
- Be current on Knox County property taxes unless have a written agreement with the County outlining a payment plan for delinquent taxes and are abiding to the written agreement;
- Have not received home repair grant funds from Knox County in the previous five (5) years. Special consideration may be made in in the case of an emergency at the discretion of Knox County Community Development.
If you need several emergency home repairs, forgivable grants are available if repair costs are $25,000.00 or more; a lien for the total repair cost will be placed on the property. As long as you remain in your home for 3 years after the work is completed and meet program requirements, the lien will be entirely forgiven (prorated annually). *The lien will be forgiven in its entirety at the end of the three-year period, prorated annually upon the homeowner’s continued occupation of the dwelling as their primary residence for the duration of the lien.
Minor Home Repair
Under the CAC Minor Home Repair loan, you may be eligible for other identified repairs and/or replacements that do not meet the CAC Emergency Home Repair Standards, but could improve the comfort, long term sustainability, and/or energy efficiency of your home.
For the Minor Home Repair Program the household may qualify for a Zero Percent (0%) interest loan for qualifying repairs. Loan payments will be set at a rate that is affordable. Partial loan forgiveness may be available for Extremely Low-Income Households (30% AMI or lower). *In households with income at or below 30% AMI, the applicant will pay back 50% of the loan at a rate that is affordable. The other 50% of the loan will be forgiven if the homeowner lives in the dwelling and meets all program requirements for 5 years following the completion of the project (prorated annually).
Additional Requirements for Minor Repair:
- A lien will be placed on property for the total cost of the repairs.
- Must be current on Knox County Property taxes at time of application.
- Manufactured Home: applicant must own the land and home must be on a permanent foundation
- Debt-to-income ratio may not exceed 43% of the household’s gross annual income.
- No liens or judgements against applicant(s).
- Must have Homeowner’s Insurance.
- Must have flood insurance, if applicable.
- No more than one mortgage on the property.
- No current loans with Knox County Community Development.
- Reverse Mortgages not allowed on home.
- In cases of bankruptcy, discharge of the debt is required.
- Funding Source Approval
Future Responsibilities: The applicant(s) will agree to keep the Knox County Property (land) taxes current, remain current on the loan, keep homeowner and flood insurance (if applicable) current and remain in the home for the full time of the loan. Unpaid loan balance shall be repaid to Knox County upon sale of the property. If you do not fulfill your obligation you may be required to repay a portion of the loan or in full. Any amount that has been forgiven will not be required to be repaid.
NOTE: Exemption for loan repayment upon sale or transfer of property may be made if an immediate family member who qualifies under the income guidelines may assume the loans with the same terms as in the original agreement. Immediate family members are defined as Homeowner’s spouse, child, stepchild, sister, brother, mother, father, grandchildren, and/or grandparents. If the property isn’t transferred or sold to an eligible recipient, then the unpaid balance of the loan shall become due and payable.
Septic Repair Program
Across Knox county approximately 150-200 septic system failures are inspected per year by the Knox County Health Department. Of these, approximately 15-20 are owned by households that are unable to pay for the repairs due to financial hardships.
CAC Housing and Energy Services Department, in partnership with the Knox County Health Department, is providing support for the Septic Repair Program. CAC Housing and Energy will provide administrative support in the form of receiving, reviewing, and approving documentation relating to eligibility verification. Additionally, CAC will identify and refer applicants who are already participating in one of the many programs that serve eligible households.
Please contact the Knox County Health Department at (865) 215-5000 to see if you are eligible to apply.

Water Savings Program

The Water Savings Program (WSP) is in partnership with the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB). WSP improves the quality of life for residents by increasing the water and energy efficiency. Participants receive an in-home assessment to determine needs.
WSP services may include:
- toilet installation,
- low flow shower head,
- faucet aerators, faucet/spigot replacement,
- point repair for water leaks as indicated by excessive high-water consumption,
- LED light bulbs,
- weather stripping,
- and other similar utility conservation products.
Application Process:
CAC Housing & Energy prefers a face-to-face interview with applicants, which allows an assessment of the household’s needs, an overview of potential services that can be provided through WSP, and referrals to other entities for needed services not offered within WSP.
To make an appointment, please call: (865) 244-3080
CAC is accessible per Americans with Disability Act requirements. To this end, CAC has a contract with the Language Line at 1-866-874-3972. Staff will use these services as needed, if an applicant has a speech impairment, has a hearing impairment, or is non-English speaking and does not have an interpreter with them.
Eligibility Requirements:
- WSP is for households in the KUB customer service area.
- Priority will be given to homes that are currently on the CAC Weatherization waiting list and customers referred by KUB as a result of high bill complaints or attendance at KUB’s energy and water efficiency workshops.
- Applicants must meet Income Standards. The total countable income of the household must be equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level for the household size (current at the time of eligibility determination). If the income exceeds 200% of poverty, the household no longer meets income guidelines and will not be eligible to receive services, unless documentation is provided to show the household meets the “Income Prequalification” standards. For the WSP, a household is defined as those persons living in the home at time of application for service.
- Income Pre-qualifications: A household is considered to meet income requirements for the WSP if one or more household members are approved for, or have been approved for in the past 12 months preceding the date of application, one of the following:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),
- Head Start,
- Housing Choice Voucher (formerly Section 8)
- Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
- A Tennessee Family Assistance program as verified by ACCENT (Tennessee’s eligibility system for Family Assistance programs),
- And/Or any other CAC Housing & Energy Services Program
Once a household is pre-qualified, no further income documentation will be required.
Required Documentation:
CAC will collect all required documents in accordance with program policies and specific eligibility requirements of each household.
- Proof of household income
- Proof of ownership
- Landlord agreement
- Current KUB Bill in applicants name
For additional information about the program, call (865) 244-3080 Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM.
Weatherization

Weatherization
CAC’s Weatherization Program aims to reduce the energy costs of low-income families.
Weatherization specifically focuses on assisting with the weatherization of the homes of low-income elderly and disabled adults and families with children. Activities include: energy efficiency audit, insulation, storm windows, caulking, and other related activities to reduce home energy costs and increase home energy efficiency.
How Does Weatherization Work?
CAC Weatherization’s professionally trained crews evaluate single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, and mobile homes. CAC Weatherization determines which energy efficiency measures are appropriate, emphasizing the most cost-effective measures and those which are essential for the health and safety of the occupants. CAC Weatherization performs energy efficient retrofits through the utilization of Department of Energy and privately leveraged funds.
What Are the Benefits of Weatherization?
- Reduces energy costs for families.
- Creates greater flexibility in household spending choices
- Provides education in energy-efficient practices.
- Addresses safety concerns.
- Improves health outcomes.
What are 5 things we can all do to weatherize?
- Turn down your HVAC by a few degrees.
- Use insulating curtains.
- Shut doors when not in a room.
- Move furniture off vents.
- Change air duct filters regularly.
Eligibility
- The unit must be located in Knoxville, Knox County, Roane County, Loudon County, Blount County and/or KUB customer
- Household income must meet income requirements
- Owner occupied or rental occupied unit. A rental application does require landlord permission. Single family or multi-family unit
For additional information about the program, call 865-244-3080 Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
To Apply
Please call 865-244-3080 Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
This program is funded in part under an agreement with the Tennessee Housing and Development Agency (THDA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
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