Knoxville CEOs address the growing need for workforce housing by building a home

The Knoxville Habitat CEO Build, presented by Bank of America, raises awareness of the challenges local families are facing to find affordable housing while helping a local family build a safe and affordable home.

[Knoxville, Tenn.] [February 17, 2020] – On Thursday, February 11, a small group of Knoxville CEOs masked up and came together to celebrate the dedication of local family’s Habitat home. 

The Knoxville Habitat CEO Build, presented by Bank of America, is an opportunity for C-suite executives to raise awareness of the growing need for available workforce housing in our region. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 46% of Knoxville families were cost-burdened by high housing costs, and the numbers are rapidly growing.

Business leaders in attendance to welcome the new homeowners to their safe and affordable home included Knoxville Habitat board member and KUB President and CEO Gabe Bolas, as well as chief officers from build sponsors PYA, Denark Construction and Merit Construction, Inc.

These supporters, along with other sponsors, partnered with Minani and his family. Minani supports his family by working in housekeeping while his wife, Manirakiza, works in manufacturing. Originally from Burundi, the family endured years of seeking safety in refugee camps and fleeing from the frightening dangers of war and conflicts. This family has now lived in Knoxville for over ten years, but even with their steady employment, this couple and their seven children have only been able to afford a very small rental.

After the family was presented with keys by PYA President and CEO Marty Brown, Minani emotionally expressed gratitude on behalf of his family. After years of working toward the moment they would break ground on a permanent home, their spring 2020 build was delayed by the Coronavirus. After all of the challenges and dangers this family has overcome, Minani is thankful for the commitment of all who continued working to make his home build possible, as well as “God, who makes all things possible.”

Representing CEO Build sponsor KUB, Bolas recognized the leadership commitment of local leaders during a year of uncertainties. 

“It was great to work with this family, and I believe this speaks volumes to what our Knoxville businesses did in the very tough times of this pandemic. This would never have happened without our friends and sponsors Christman, Barge Design Solutions, PYA, Merit Construction, LDA Engineering, Fulghum MacIndoe & Associates, Stowers Machinery, LHP Capital, Denark Construction, McCarty Holsaple McCarty and, of course, our friends at Bank of America.” 

Bank of America’s Senior Vice President and Market Manager Lina Kornmeyer also acknowledged all who have come together to make a family’s opportunity of a safe and secure home possible. As a longtime Habitat for Humanity partner, Bank of America has already announced their sponsorship of Knoxville Habitat’s 2021 CEO Build. 

“Our partnership is local, national and global including philanthropic support, volunteerism, and relief with a primary focus on creating and preserving affordable housing.  We thank everyone that helped to make this home build possible and for your work to make Knoxville the thriving community it is. No matter what part of our great city you live in, we are all neighbors.” 

Additional financial support for this home build was provided by longtime Knoxville Habitat partner St. George Greek Orthodox Church, and Rev. Fr. Anthony Stratis from the church asked the blessing over the home and family. This home was also funded in part by the THDA (Tennessee Housing Development Agency) Housing Trust Fund. 

About Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit, Christian housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs. An affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1985, Knoxville Habitat builds homes in partnership with families in need of affordable housing.

Families are very much invested in the process of building and buying their homes, and they pay mortgages like anyone with a traditional home loan. In addition to their mortgage, each family must contribute 500 hours of sweat equity as a down payment before they can move in, most of which are spent in classes learning how to budget and become a responsible homeowner. Volunteers and future homeowners provide the labor in building the homes, while tax-deductible donations of money, land and materials are provided by individuals, organizations and corporations. 

Knoxville Habitat has partnered with over 700 families in Knox County. For more information, visit knoxvillehabitat.com.