Tennessee
University of Tennessee student housing rent soared in Knoxville this year, here’s where it ranks nationally
It’s no secret that Knoxville has been in a housing crunch that extends from home sales to the rental market. That includes an expanded need for student housing, as enrollment increases at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
While developers have been racing to build entire blocks of student housing, those facilities are still several years away. In the meantime, the situation has grown ever more dire for students looking to find a place to live.
Apartment rent growth as a whole accelerated for the second consecutive month in October, with rents across the Knoxville metropolitan area increasing by 4.14% from the previous year compared to 0.09% nationally.
But housing for students became even more expensive, a release from East Tennessee Realtors said.
Rental costs for student housing increased nearly 16% from 2023
Rent growth in student housing hit record highs across the U.S. over the last year − and Knoxville was no exception. As of September − the final month of the fall 2023 pre-lease season − rent for student housing in Knoxville rose 15.9%, according to RealPage Market Analytics. This figure amounted to the 11th fastest year-over-year rent growth nationally and the second fastest among southeastern universities.
The especially large rent increases among housing specifically for students can be attributed to robust enrollment growth at the University of Tennessee, which created a sizable gap between supply and demand as evidenced by 100% occupancy rate for this fall.
Across the core 175 universities tracked by RealPage, rent growth in student housing has hit record highs over the last year. As of September, annual rent growth hit 9%.
At some schools, however, that rate was considerably higher. Arizona State University claimed the top spot in the nation for student housing rent growth in the year ending September 2023, posting a 24.5% increase. Rent growth at the University of Arkansas and the University of New Mexico nearly hit 20%.
Several quintessential college towns including Knoxville appear on this list, such as Asheville (University of North Carolina) and West Lafayette (Purdue), which helps underscore the fact that college towns are very attractive student housing markets.
Don’t expect to see these types of increases next year, however. Much like the conventional market correcting sharply over the last year, RealPage expects student housing rent growth to cool in the fall 2024 pre-lease season.
Liz Kellar is a Tennessee Connect reporter. Email liz.kellar@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes in attendance at NBPA Top-100 Camp
Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes is making the most of the off-season.
As the Vols prepare for the 2025-26 season, Barnes has made the trip to the NBPA Top 100 Camp in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event will span from June 9-13.
Joe Tipton of On3 reports that Barnes is joined by Duke’s Jon Sheyer, Louisville’s Pat Kelsey, Oklahoma’s Porter Moser, Oregon’s Dana Altman and Virginia Tech’s Mike Young at the most recent session of the event.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
Targets competing
Who is joining Tennessee next year
Tennessee has signed a trio of transfers. Maryland guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie joins as an in-state prospect. He is projected to start at point guard. He also played at Belmont. EvanMiya ranked him as the biggest get in the cycle for UT.
The Vols also bring in Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey. He previously spent time at JMU, as well. He will have the chance to earn the starting power forward spot.
The final signee was Amaree Abram out of Louisiana Tech. He also spent time at Georgia Tech and Ole Miss. He will compete for the starting shooting guard position to compliment Gillespie in the backcourt.
Tennessee also has five freshmen signed to join. The headliner is five-star Nate Ament. As the No. 4 recruit in the class, he is likely going to start right away as the team’s small forward despite his height being listed as 6-foot-9.
The Vols also bring in four-star wing Amari Evans. He is known for his defense and is a prototypical Rick Barnes player.
At forward, Tennessee signed three-star DeWayne Brown II out of Hoover, Alabama. The Vols also have a signing from unranked point guard Troy Henderson out of Virginia who played alongside Ament during AAU ball.
Most recently, Clarence Massamba picked the Vols out of France. He is unranked but has pro-ball experience.
Who is leaving the Vols
While there are no impactful transfers leaving the Vols, they are losing a lot of their production from a year ago.
This starts with two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Zakai Zeigler. The Tennessee point guard had an illustrious four years in Knoxville but is now out of eligibility. He started in all the games he played in this past season while missing one due to injury.
Also leaving is Jerry West Award winner and the single-season 3-point king, Chaz Lanier. He transferred in from North Florida for his final season of eligibility and started every game of the season.
Jahami Mashack is also out of eligibility. The Field of 68 National Defensive Player of the Year played all four seasons with the Vols. He started every game last season.
The final starter not eligibile to return is Igor Milicic Jr. He transferred in from Charlotte after spending two years there and one at Virginia. He started in every game he appeared in but missed one due to illness.
Six-man Jordan Gainey also can’t return. He was the first spark off the bench but did start the game Zeigler was unable to play in. He began his career at USC Upstate but played his final two in Knoxville.
Darlinstone Dubar is the final member unable to return. He was a piece off the bench that was called on during the NCAA Tournament. He played at Iowa State and Hofstra before his final season was spent with Tennessee.
Who returns from the Elite Eight run
Tennessee is losing a good bit to expired eligibility but does return some key pieces.
The lone returning starter is Felix Okpara. The center started his career at Ohio State before transferring in prior to last season. He started every game of the season that resulted in the Elite Eight run.
The other returning piece to see action on a game-by-game basis is Cade Phillips. The forward enters his junior year after playing a sizable role off the bench as a sophomore.
J.P. Estrella also returns as a redshirt sophomore. He was projected to play a role off the bench last season before a foot injury shut him down for the season.
Coming off his true freshman year, former four-star guard Bishop Boswell is also returning. He saw varying degrees of minutes throughout his first season with the Vols.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF TENNESSEE GOVERNOR BILL LEE:
Gov. Lee Signs Executive Order to Lead the Nation in Workforce Development
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 109, ensuring Tennessee continues to lead the nation in workforce development by demonstrating an innovative strategy to meet the needs of the state’s dynamic and growing labor market. The Order strengthens the State Workforce Development Board’s work by requiring a unified, results-driven approach that aligns education and training with the evolving needs of employers and high-growth industries.
“The state with the workers will win the future, and that’s why workforce development has been one of my top priorities since day one,” said Gov. Lee. “As companies continue to invest in Tennessee and create high-quality jobs, continued coordination across state government and public-private partnerships will be necessary to unlock our full economic potential and create greater opportunity for all Tennesseans to thrive.”
The Governor signed the Order alongside students enrolled in the Tennessee Youth Employment Program (TYEP) in Knoxville, which engages youth across rural and urban communities, providing hands-on training to achieve full-time employment and meet the needs of Tennessee businesses. In partnership with the General Assembly, the FY25-26 budget invested an additional $7 million into the program to double its participation and establish year-round operations.
The Order elevates the State Workforce Development Board as the central strategic leadership body guiding Tennessee’s broader workforce agenda by leveraging technology and employer partners to personalize career pathways, drive continuous innovation, and maximize public return on investment. By ensuring the state’s programs are effective, every Tennessean will have the opportunity to succeed, no matter what path they choose beyond high school graduation.
During the 2025 legislative session, the Lee Administration made significant investments in workforce development, including:
- $7 million to expand the Tennessee Youth Employment Program to operate year-round, double its participation, and reach even more underserved communities
- $25 million for FastTrack grants to recruit new business to Tennessee and support workforce development
- $6.3 million to create a statewide Micro-Credentialing Program to develop short-term, targeted certifications that equip Tennesseans with high-demand skills identified by industry and state partners
- $25 million to expand the RevV program to connect private companies with Tennessee’s research institutions to drive research and development and job creation
- $5 million to create TNWORKS, a partnership between Tennessee Economic and Community Development and the Department of Labor and Workforce to create customized workforce training programs tailored to the specific needs of incoming and existing businesses
- $5 million for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission to fund incentive grants to strengthen Tennessee’s music and film industry
- $10 million for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds to match federal funds assisting Tennessee startups in securing competitive research and development grants
- $10 million further investment in Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) to support nuclear workforce education, as recommended by the Nuclear Energy Advisory Council
- $4 million to expand the State Workforce Development Board’s role in planning workforce strategies, identifying high-demand industries, and awarding grants to grow Tennessee’s skilled workforce
- $2 million investment in Tennessee Board of Regents’ Center for Workforce Development to expand workforce training for businesses and industries, including specialized onboarding and apprenticeship programs, in partnership with TN Accelerates
To date, the Lee Administration’s most notable workforce initiatives and accomplishments include:
- Delivered more than $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee families and businesses through the Tennessee Works Act, one of the largest tax relief measures in state history
- Eliminated the nearly 12,000-person waiting list for Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) and invested $1 billion to complete the TCAT Master Plan to improve existing TCATs, replace outdated facilities and build new TCATs at strategic locations across Tennessee
- The Tennessee Youth Employment Program surpassed expectations by placing 4,800+ youths in paid positions, each earning up to $4,000 while gaining career‑aligned experience
- Established Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Act to expand access to vocational and technical training for students
- Through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE), the Lee Administration has served 15,500 rural students and helped spark 41,500 new jobs as well as almost $19 billion in capital investment across rural Tennessee
- Created the Future Workforce Initiative to prepare students for jobs of the future in science, technology, engineering and math
- First state in the U.S. to establish a Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship, a “Grow Your Own” program for aspiring teachers
- Created the innovative “New Pathways” program to help adults earn a high school diploma equivalency faster and made Tennessee the first state to offer five high‑school‑equivalency test options, already enabling over 1,000 adults to earn diplomas and reenter the workforce within its first year.
- Strengthened the state’s Apprenticeship Agency, now administering 433 active programs and nearly 10,000 apprentices
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WASHINGTON — Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., said Monday that he will resign from Congress after it passes a massive policy bill to advance President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress. Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up,” Green said in a statement, adding that he notified Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., that he would vacate his seat after the House’s next vote on the legislative package that’s currently in the Senate.
Once Green’s resignation takes effect, the House will have 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats.
The House has experienced significant turnover in recent months with retirements and deaths. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., died in May, and Democratic Reps. Raul Grijalva of Arizona and Sylvester Turner of Texas died in March, while Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., resigned from his House seat at the beginning of the year to join the Trump administration.
Green, the chair of the Homeland Security Committee, represents a safe Republican district in Tennessee that covers middle and Western parts of the state, including parts of Nashville.
Green, a former Army medic first elected in 2018, had announced his intentions to retire during Congress’ previous session, but he reversed course weeks later. He won re-election in November with 59.5% of the vote.
According to Tennessee law, Republican Gov. Bill Lee must order a special election within 10 days of Green’s resignation, set a date for primary elections to occur within 55 to 60 days from the resignation and schedule a subsequent general election to take place within 100 to 107 days.
As chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, Green oversaw impeachment proceedings against Alejandro Mayorkas, who was former President Joe Biden’s secretary of homeland security. The impeachment vote fell short on the House floor.
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