Willow Place, affordable living for seniors, adds 30 apartments amid housing crunch

Willow Place, an affordable housing complex for seniors in Karns, will add 30 new units by the end of 2025.

The extension, called Willow III, includes 30 affordable apartments for those aged 62 and up earning at or below 80% of the area's median income, which was around $70,000 in 2022. The addition brings Willow Places' capacity to 70 units at a time when housing and rental prices are stubbornly high.

Federal funds that flow through the county help keep the complex affordable.

Christopher Osborn, the chief operating officer of HomeSource East Tennessee, told Knox News it can take two years for potential residents to get off the waitlist. If potential residents call soon, they could be off the list by the time Willow III is ready.

Those who are interested can call HomeSource East Tennessee, the agency that manages the complex, at 865-637-1679 to get on the waitlist. One- or two-bedroom apartments will range in cost between $700-$1,200 per month, depending on the size. All units will be energy efficient and some will be completely accessible while others will be partially accessible.

HomeSource East Tennessee doesn't subsidize rent, but they do accept Section 8 vouchers.

The $5.2 million expansion is funded with $967,500 of federal grant funds routed through Knox County, $700,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati’s Affordable Housing Program, $800,000 from HomeSource East Tennessee and a $3.2 million loan from the Bank of Tennessee.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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