Renaissance Terrace, located in Knoxville's Fourth and Gill neighborhood, has been providing affordable assisted living care to elderly residents since 2008. Unfortunately, after more than 13 years of operation, the center is set to close its doors on April 15th. This decision comes as a result of financial challenges faced by the facility, including increased operating costs due to the ongoing pandemic. The center, operated by Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service, has been losing approximately $30,000 a month, making it unsustainable to continue operations.
The closure of Renaissance Terrace has left 45 elderly residents in search of new housing options. The facility's CEO, Tim Howell, expressed sadness over the closure, noting that the home's affordable rates made it a valuable resource for the community's seniors. Despite efforts to increase wages and cut costs, the funding received from the state through the TENNCare CHOICES program was insufficient to cover the expenses of caring for residents. The decision to close was made in an effort to protect the well-being of both the residents and the facility's staff.
Residents, their families, and staff were informed of the closure in a meeting where emotions ran high. Concerns were raised about finding suitable alternative housing, as many assisted-living facilities do not accept CHOICES residents. The closure of Renaissance Terrace will mark the end of an era for the facility, which has provided quality care and support to older adults in the community. Despite the challenges faced, the team at Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service is committed to finding suitable housing options for all residents affected by the closure.
As the facility prepares to shut its doors, discussions are underway regarding the sale of the building. While the decision to close Renaissance Terrace was a difficult one, it was deemed necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. With the support of the community and dedicated staff members, efforts are being made to transition residents to new living arrangements seamlessly. The closure of Renaissance Terrace serves as a reminder of the financial constraints faced by many care facilities and the importance of adequate funding to support the needs of elderly individuals in our society.