Operation Hero’s Hill: Building Homes, Changing Lives in Knox County

In Knox County, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. That’s the driving force behind Operation Hero’s Hill, a pioneering initiative designed to tackle veteran homelessness while empowering the next generation of skilled workers.

With over 140 veterans experiencing homelessness locally, Mayor Glenn Jacobs and the Knox County Grants and Community Development Department set out to create something that was more than housing. They envisioned a community.

A Homegrown Solution

Phase One of Operation Hero’s Hill is now underway, with plans to construct 20 tiny homes and a community center designed specifically for veterans. But what makes this project truly unique is how the homes are being built.

Construction is happening across eight different sites, led by a diverse group of builders:

• Students from six Knox County high schools’ Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs
• Workforce development cohorts at the Skilled Trades Academy Regional Training (START) Center
• Justice-involved trainees at the Knox County Detention Center

All participants are guided by professionals from the Associated General Contractors of Tennessee Knoxville Region (AGC). As they build, these learners are gaining real-world experience in safety, code compliance, and craftsmanship—skills that will serve them for life.

Community at Every Corner

Through partnerships with D.R. Horton, KCDC, and the Veterans Administration, Knox County has created a replicable model for affordable, supportive housing. D.R. Horton’s donation of building materials keeps costs down, while KCDC will operate the site and the VA will deliver critical wraparound services to residents.

Together, these public-private partnerships are delivering more than roofs over heads—they’re delivering second chances, job training, and a path to stability for those who served our country.