Knoxville widow one step closer to new home after tree split her house in half

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A widow whose Knoxville house was destroyed last summer is one step closer to getting a new home. Papers were just signed to begin the demolition and to hire a contractor to build on the property she owns.

Rosa Paschal and her late husband paid off their home years ago, but there is not much left of it after the Lonsdale home was destroyed last August on the same day a tornado badly damaged homes and apartments in West Knoxville . She was directed to the city’s housing and neighborhood development office where Paschal learned she qualified for a loan, not to rebuild her home, but to build a new one.

Paschal is getting an idea of what her new house will look like. It will be a two bedroom, one bath, 800-square-foot home. Jon Colbaugh, from Knoxville’s Community Development Department, went over blueprints with Paschal.

Paschal lives on a fixed income of less than $1,000 a month. Her home was destroyed last summer and the city determined Paschal qualifies for a special loan for low-income homeowners.

“The city will tear down that free for her. We will get some bids and then we’ll construct it,” said City Housing Manager Beth Bacon in February, explaining that Paschal is eligible for an owner-occupied rehabilitation loan.

“It is funded by HUD, so we use the HUD funds they govern what we would have to do in someone’s home,” said Bacon.

Paschal showed us her home last October hoping it could be repaired. In January, the city determined that damage to the 60-year-old structure was beyond repair after a tree crashed into her home caused by a strong storm on August 7, 2023 . The tree slammed into her bedroom nearly slicing the home in half.

Paschal’s late husband died in 2014, he had managed the books. The paperwork for her new home is now being coordinated by the city.

“After she signs contracts she will have a month to move anything she wants out of the house then we will turn it in for demolition,” said Colbaugh.

Before her home is demolished this fall, she’ll first need help moving belongings inside her place and then she’ll have to store the stuff until her new home is built. Just a few days ago, Paschal signed the paperwork for the process to begin.

“I’m just happy you came over today and let me know it is getting ready to get started,” said Paschal. “It’s going to be beautiful.”

There are only the blueprints right now, but that’s all she needs to see.

“It’s going to be nice and just for me,” said Paschal.

In Paschal’s situation as a low-income homeowner, the owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program will provide her with financial assistance, not only to have her old home torn down but to rebuild a new one through low-interest and forgivable loans. The city uses housing and urban development guidelines to determine a homeowner’s income eligibility.

With assistance, Paschal will soon choose a contractor to begin the process. Now, it won’t happen overnight, it will likely be early next year before she can move into her new home.

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