KARM Unveils New Shelter Model to Address Homelessness in Knoxville

The nonprofit is shifting its approach to focus on connecting people with long-term housing solutions beyond the shelter.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:21pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of a single homeless shelter item, such as a bed or backpack, repeated in a grid pattern using vibrant, unnatural colors and heavy black outlines, conceptually representing KARM's shift to a more focused, pop art-inspired approach to addressing homelessness in Knoxville.KARM's new shelter model aims to efficiently connect the homeless with long-term housing solutions, moving beyond the constraints of the traditional shelter system.Knoxville Today

Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) in Knoxville, Tennessee has announced a change to its shelter model, shifting the focus to quickly connecting people experiencing homelessness with more resources and support to find stable, long-term housing outside of the shelter. Under the new approach, residents will go through an intake process and be assigned a case manager within the first 28 days, with the goal of addressing their immediate crisis and developing a plan to move them into permanent housing.

Why it matters

Homelessness has doubled in Knoxville since 2018, while shelter capacity has only grown by 16%, leaving many without access to emergency housing. KARM's new model aims to be more efficient in moving people through the shelter system and into long-term solutions, rather than allowing indefinite stays that can create a cycle of homelessness.

The details

Under the new KARM model, residents will be required to check in with their case manager every 30 days and demonstrate engagement with support services in order to maintain their shelter bed. Those who do not engage will have their bed reallocated to someone else in need, though they will be welcomed back if they decide to re-engage. KARM is also developing specialized program tracks to address the unique needs of individuals, whether that's physical, behavioral, or mental health support, job training, or other services to help them achieve their goals for stable housing.

  • KARM announced the changes to its shelter model on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • The new model was developed over the past two years as KARM looked to address the growing homelessness crisis in Knoxville.

The players

Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM)

A nonprofit organization that operates a shelter and provides services to people experiencing homelessness in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Andrew Church

The vice president of programs at Knox Area Rescue Ministries, who explained the details of the organization's new shelter model.

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What they’re saying

“So in the first 28 days of someone's stay, they go through our intake. We orient them to the services that are provided and assign them a case manager, and case management is really the key to this new model.”

— Andrew Church, Vice President of Programs, Knox Area Rescue Ministries

“Shelter cannot be the end goal. That is not okay with me as the program's guide. So the ultimate goal is community and housing.”

— Andrew Church, Vice President of Programs, Knox Area Rescue Ministries

What’s next

KARM hopes to double or even triple the number of people they are able to house in the next three to five years through this new model.

The takeaway

KARM's shift to a more focused, case management-driven approach to homelessness aims to move people out of the shelter system and into stable, long-term housing solutions more efficiently, addressing the growing need in Knoxville.