Elevates is Proud to Announce
Lumen Flats
Housing Kids Aging Out of Foster Care
At Elmington, growth has always meant more than expanding our business—it’s about expanding our impact. In recent years, we’ve become increasingly aware of the urgent challenges facing Tennessee’s foster care system.
In 2024, we were honored to be invited by the Governor’s Office to join Every Child TN, a statewide initiative working to reimagine foster care. Through this partnership, we learned a staggering truth: 80% of young people who age out of foster care in Tennessee will experience homelessness, incarceration, addiction, or trafficking by age 21.
One of the biggest reasons?
A lack of safe, stable, and affordable housing.
Taking Action: Lumen Flats
This reality has inspired a pivotal new chapter for Elmington and Elevates. What began years ago as a calling to build affordable housing has now become a responsibility to directly address the needs of some of Tennessee’s most vulnerable youth.
We are proud to announce Lumen Flats, our new foster care housing community in Knoxville. Designed for young adults aging out of foster care, Lumen Flats will provide:
Stable housing in 18 studio apartments, each with a kitchenette and private bathroom.
Access to mental health support, including on-site therapy rooms.
Community and connection, through a large shared kitchen, common living areas, and the presence of caring adult relationships.
Renovations are underway, and in just a few months, Lumen Flats will open its doors as a place of stability, support, and opportunity.
Built Into Who We Are
What makes this project unique is how it draws on every part of Elmington—from our affordable housing development and design teams to construction, property management, and even our software company.
For us, Lumen Flats isn’t just another project—it’s a reflection of our belief that housing can change lives. By stepping into the foster care space, we’re weaving this mission even deeper into the fabric of who we are as a company.
Partner With Us
Big challenges take big teamwork. Elmington has partnered with local, state, and federal organizations to bring this project to life. If you, your business, or your organization want to be part of the solution, we’d love to hear from you.
Get involved:
Each young adult who moves into Lumen Flats will receive a $1,000 move-in stipend to purchase furnishings, wall art, and room décor—helping them create a space that truly feels like home and giving them a sense of ownership in their new chapter. To make the experience even more meaningful, each resident will be paired with a mentor to help them shop, paint, and decorate their new room.
There are also hands-on ways to get involved, like joining residents for meals, cooking together, and teaching life skills that build confidence and community. These shared experiences are just as important as the roof over their heads.
Reach out to us and let’s find a way to work together. Because when we combine our efforts, we can create brighter, more stable futures for young people across Tennessee.