In 1945 returning veterans and their families needed housing in order to attend the university under the GI Bill. In addition to trailers and barracks that appeared on the Hill and the agriculture campus, a temporary barracks village was created under a partnership with the Federal Public Housing Authority on Sutherland Avenue, on the site of the former McGhee Tyson Airport, which was leased from the City of Knoxville. The City had actually also applied for a grant for housing on the site but agreed to cancel its request and allow UT to apply and use the site.
The Federal Public Housing Authority bore the expense of moving the barracks from Camp Crossville, a former Prisoner of War Camp, and erecting them. UT prepared the sites and furnished the apartments. The project was designed to accommodate 212 apartments and was completed by an additional special allocation in 1947. The apartments housed married veterans. Units contained either one or two bedrooms and a living room, bath, and kitchen. The apartments were furnished with an oil stove, circulating heater, oil water heater, icebox, and sink. Furniture could be rented for $3 to $5 per month. Rental rates established by the Federal Public Housing Authority were $25 per month for one bedroom and $28 for two bedroom units. The complex was of gray one-story buildings. Additional funds were provided to increase the number of apartment units. The barracks apartments were used until 1967 and were razed in 1969.