KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Nearly two years after a devastating storm uprooted her life, Knoxville resident Rosa Paschal is watching her future take shape—literally—on the very ground she once called home. Thanks to a federally funded owner-occupied rehabilitation loan, construction is now well underway on a new home for the senior widow whose previous house was destroyed by a falling tree in 2023.

Paschal recently toured the new construction site, beaming with hope as she stepped into the framed structure of what will soon become a two-bedroom, one-bath house. The structure already includes roughed-in plumbing, with insulation, drywall, and other finishes soon to follow.

“I’m just grateful,” said Paschal, standing inside what will be her new living room. “It’s been a long road, but I never gave up believing I’d come home again.”

The rebuilding project is being overseen by Knoxville’s Community Development Department. Housing Rehabilitation Specialist Jon Colbaugh accompanied Paschal during the walkthrough, offering insights into what lies ahead in the construction timeline. The department has been instrumental in supporting her throughout the process.

In August 2023, strong winds during a summer storm caused a massive tree to crash through Paschal’s 60-year-old house. The impact split the structure nearly in half—destroying her bedroom and most of her belongings. In October of that year, Paschal showed WATE 6 News the damage, still holding out hope that her home could be salvaged. But following a thorough inspection by city officials in January 2024, it was declared a total loss.

“She didn’t have homeowners insurance,” said Colbaugh. “Her husband, who passed in 2014, used to handle all the finances. After he died, Rosa was on her own—and unfortunately, she just wasn’t covered when disaster hit.”

Six months after the storm, the city determined that Paschal qualified for a special assistance loan aimed at low-income homeowners. Once the application was approved, her former house was demolished in February 2025. By late April, a new foundation was in place and framing had begun.

“It is funded by HUD, so we use the HUD funds,” said Knoxville Housing Manager Beth Bacon. “They govern what we would have to do in someone’s home.”

The loan program—referred to as an “owner-occupied rehabilitation loan”—is designed to help low-income homeowners repair or rebuild after catastrophic loss. Though the loan does include a modest repayment obligation, Paschal will be able to manage it on her limited fixed income.

“It’s something I can afford, and that’s what matters,” she said.

But the road to recovery hasn’t just been structural—it’s also emotional. Nearly everything Paschal owned was destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Water intrusion from the collapsed roof ruined furniture, appliances, and decades of personal memorabilia.

“I lost everything,” she said. “I was only able to save a few clothes. That’s it. But I’ve learned to let go and focus on what’s ahead.”

Paschal's resilience has caught the attention of community leaders, and local organizations are now stepping in to help furnish her new home once construction is complete. Donations of household goods, furniture, and other essentials are being organized through nonprofit partners, providing her with some much-needed support.

As she prepares to move into her new home later this year, Paschal remains optimistic.

“I’m just thankful,” she said. “The house is going up, and I’ll finally have a place to call mine again.”

Originally reported by Don Dare in 6 News.