Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is getting ready for the busiest stretch of building in its history, and it is putting the word out to local trades.
The nonprofit plans to build about 100 affordable homes in Knox County over the next five years, WBIR reported Oct. 14. Megan Storm, Habitat's director of marketing and communications, told the station it is a $25 million plan and the largest project the group has ever taken on.
According to WBIR, construction on one neighborhood is expected to start in the coming months while Habitat plans the next one. The station said nearly 100 families would become first-time homeowners through the effort.
The money will come from several places. One of them is the Habitat ReStore at 1511 Downtown West Blvd., a home improvement store and donation center whose sales pay for new homes and critical repairs across Knox County.
Where the work is
Habitat's own contractor page, which it calls the BidRoom, gives builders a look at what is in the pipeline.
The first project listed is The Plains, which Habitat calls its newest subdivision. It sits in the Carter community just off Asheville Highway near Strawberry Plains Pike. Habitat says The Plains will hold 74 homes built as twin homes, with two homes sharing each structure, as the current bid package shows.
Habitat recently asked for bids on four of those homes, built as two structures on Lots 11–12 and 21–22. The page lists construction as scheduled to begin in October 2026. Bids closed Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. The trades on that package were:
- Concrete finishing
- Framing and roofing
- Masonry
- Plumbing
The page also lists the Pinehurst subdivision in East Knoxville. Habitat says it will invite bids on items and services for the subdivision's infrastructure and expects that bidding to open this fall.
WBIR did not say which neighborhoods are part of the 100-home plan, and Habitat's page does not link the two.
How to get on the list
Habitat says it has an ongoing need for subcontractors and vendors, apart from the larger bid packages. Contractors must fill out a New Subcontractor/Vendor Application before bidding on anything. The application lets applicants choose new construction, home repairs or both, and it walks them through scope-of-work requirements, a subcontractor agreement and required documents. Approved applicants may be included in future requests for proposals.
Questions about bid packages go to construction@knoxvillehabitat.org, according to the page.
The funding mix matters, too. Habitat lists possible sources including New Markets Tax Credits, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, HUD, state and Knox County ARPA grants, federal block grants, City of Knoxville development money, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and the East Tennessee Foundation.
Depending on the source, Habitat says, contractors may face extra grant conditions, reporting and procurement rules. Some jobs may involve Build America, Buy America requirements and Section 3 business certification. Habitat says it reviews the forms and reporting before awarding any grant-funded work. Its home repair program draws on the East Tennessee Foundation, the Federal Home Loan Bank and THDA's Emergency Repair Program. Depending on the source, repair jobs may carry Section 3, Section 109, segregated facility and Executive Order 11246 requirements.
Why it matters for Contractors
Spread over five years, 100 homes works out to about 20 a year. That steady pace is the kind of repeat work small and mid-size trades can plan around. The Plains alone is 74 homes in a twin-home layout, and that repetition can help crews get faster and sharpen their pricing from one building to the next.
The bigger near-term opportunity may be at Pinehurst. Infrastructure work such as grading, utilities and streets usually comes before any homes, and Habitat says bidding is expected to open this fall.
The trade-off is paperwork. Federal and state money brings Buy America rules, Section 3 and other reporting that some small shops have never dealt with. Contractors who already have their certifications and records in order will be ready to bid when packages post.
Getting the application done now costs little and puts a business on the list before the next round. Habitat updates the BidRoom as packages open, so it is worth checking regularly. Habitat also says businesses can help by volunteering, sponsoring a build or donating materials and services.