KNOXVILLE, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT) – For the third year, warming shelters in the Knoxville area are gearing up to accept people in need as temperatures tumble in East Tennessee.
The Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability and Homeless Coalition partner to get the shelters up and running. This year, the groups plan to operate shelters, with help from nonprofit and faith-based groups, from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28, 2026. The shelters will open on nights when temperatures fall to 25 degrees or colder.
Last winter, more than 400 people needed shelter from the cold. According to the two groups, that number is expected to drop slightly thanks to new programs and housing efforts in the area. That said, the Office of Housing Stability’s Point-in Time Count Report for 2025 paints a picture of East Tennesseans struggling to find housing.
According to the report, rent prices in Knoxville have skyrocketed 62% since 2020, while wages have only grown about 15%. Of those who are homeless, more than half are 45 or older, according to the snapshot.
“The data confirm what our community has been feeling: the need has outpaced our year-round shelter capacity,” Executive Director of the Office of Housing Stability Erin Read said. “The warming center network is about more than beds; it’s about compassion, coordination, and making sure no one is left outside on freezing nights.”
Last winter saw a spike in demand for warming shelters because of more cold nights. During the winter of 2024 and 2025, Knoxville saw eight nights at that 25 degree benchmark, according to the Office of Housing Stability. Last winter, that number jumped to 32.
“This effort truly reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines Knoxville,” said Andrew Church, President of the Knoxville-Knox County Homeless Coalition. “Together, we’re providing warming centers with the training and support needed to operate at their best with the resources available, ensuring as many neighbors as possible are not left out in the cold. We invite our community to join us in this shared work of care and compassion.”
A list of warming shelter locations is available at https://knoxtnhousing.org/warming-centers.html
