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Rows of purple lettuce and Basil being cultivated in a vertical hydroponic indoor farm.

Supporting Veteran Reintegration Through Sustainable Agriculture

Knoxville Community Development Corporation is building a 32-unit housing development for veterans in Knoxville, Tennessee, creating a net-negative carbon development that reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, all while educating residents on innovative agriculture solutions and improving living conditions for veterans and their families.

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Project Summary

Many veterans in communities across the nation struggle with workforce reintegration and affordable housing, and Knoxville is no exception. Affordable housing and stable income are critical drivers of success for those experiencing homelessness. Through partnerships with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the U.S. Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Knoxville Community Development Corporation (KCDC) is developing a permanent supportive housing community with 32 one-bedroom project-based units serving veteran residents who meet income qualifications.

The solar energy system atop the housing development offsets the equivalent of 98,500 miles driven by gas-powered autos annually, or equal to 45 acres of forest sequestering carbon. Additionally, an onsite agriculture pod (ag pod) helps lower carbon emissions, supplements local agriculture and provides workforce training opportunities to support veteran career readiness and reintegration. Not only do these technologies provide benefits to the community and residents, but the innovative farming and solar power technologies in this project provide veterans with an opportunity to learn desirable, transferable skills that can be applied to future careers in sustainable agriculture and clean energy solutions.

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Project Details

Location
Knoxville, Tennessee

Proposed Budget

  • TVA Connected Communities: $250,000

Focus Area

  • Energy and Environmental Justice

Project Lead

  • Knoxville Community Development Corporation

Additional Partners

  • Electric Power Research Institute
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • US Department of Energy