KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Local efforts to address the housing crisis are taking center stage, echoing national debates in Washington about affordable living. On November 4, Knoxville voters will decide on a .5 percent sales tax increase to fund housing and neighborhood projects.

Knoxville Community Development Corporation CEO Ben Bentley said that it would be a big, and necessary, step in addressing the housing crisis at a local level.

"We have to be more reliant on our local resources, hence the need for the additional sales tax revenue," he said. "If we want to tamp down rent increases in future years, the only way we can do that is by building more housing of all types."

Bentley said lack of affordability is the root problem that stifles financial progress among many low-come Americ

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