Homelessness is a complex issue with a variety of interconnected causes and a challenge for any community. Trying to help the homeless folks in a small county setting with few resources is a difficult (some say “impossible”) challenge. There are many points and counterpoints, many more than I had considered. The primary drivers of homelessness are a lack of affordable housing, poverty, and unemployment, often exacerbated by mental health issues, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Lack of access to healthcare and support services also plays a significant role.

Maynardville Police Chief Roger Richardson has given considerable thought to the homeless dilemma in Union County and, through his service to the community, has met many of these individuals over the years.

Some folks lost their homes because they lost their job or lost one of the several jobs they needed to pay their bills, or had unexpected medical bills and prescription costs that sent them over the edge. Divorce, domestic violence, illness, trauma, recovering from addiction, some making bad choices and spending time as a guest in jail, some doing everything right and still find themselves camping out – there is no one cause for homelessness. Each case is unique. Certainly, some individuals prefer to remain under the government's radar. And those who make their living by selling drugs. Any county or city you visit will likely have individuals who try to exploit the system in their favor, seeking to obtain as much as possible for free.

It may seem that the immediate solution should be to offer a shelter in Union County for those trying to get back on their feet. It is challenging to apply for jobs when you don’t have a stable address or suitable clothing. It is difficult for kids to do homework when they are living out of a car. Sheltering from heat, humidity, pouring rain, or freezing temperatures presents a complex challenge. But shelters need resources. Staff will need to be there when the shelter is open. Support may include medical and psychological counseling, accessible bathrooms and showers, food, and trash service. Families with children would need their own area. There would be very little control over who could utilize the facilities. As Chief Richardson mentioned, Maynardville has had a 4 officer police department since 2000. A shelter in Maynardville would need police support. Some of his staff actually volunteer to come in occasionally on their days off to help because they love this community. However, there is a limit to what five people can accomplish.

Union County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Maples feels that homelessness in Union County may be on the rise, more so in the last two years. It is his opinion that, even without services here, many are arriving from Knox County. Our county, being more rural, offers free camping on TVA property, in hidden areas behind businesses, in the woods, or squatting on private land, often out of sight. We are a very rural, wooded county with lots of hidey holes. Some folks choose to stay near businesses in town for the convenience of proximity to food, free Wi-Fi, and outside electric connections for recharging batteries. Most choose not to attract attention and prefer to stay out of sight during the day. Unless you know where to look for them, it is hard to know how many homeless people really are here.
One of the big concerns is the transformation of Route 33 from a two-lane road to a four-lane superhighway. The City of Maynardville and the county are already experiencing growth with the influx of new housing and subdivisions. Why, the little IGA on the corner of Hickory Star and Maynardville Hwy is long gone, and Food City now offers all that a Knoxville supermarket can. The population of school-age children is increasing – we added Paulette Elementary just 14 years ago, and now we are building a larger middle school. Once a mom-and-pop community, Maynardville is transitioning into a bedroom community for people working in Knoxville.

When officers are available, they do take folks to Knox County to access shelters there. But once there, parents find that they need to live there to keep their kids in one school or to be able to continually access the necessary shelter, food, medical care, and counseling. The Knoxville agencies are dedicated to helping the homeless find housing and preparing them for the workforce. However, many people do not thrive in a big city and return to Union County during the warmer months. Our area has a very limited job market and offers an inadequate supply of low-income housing. There are no simple solutions to this complex issue.