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Council committee approves $400,000 grant to Safe Haven for hotel-based emergency shelter for families
Summary
The Metro Council Public Health & Safety Committee approved a $400,000 appropriation to Safe Haven Family Shelter to expand hotel-based emergency shelter and case management for families with minor children, approving the resolution 9-0. Council members pressed staff on per-person costs, program length and outcomes.
The Public Health & Safety Committee approved a $400,000 grant to Safe Haven Family Shelter to provide hotel rooms and accompanying case management as emergency alternative shelter for families with minor children.
The resolution, RS 20 25 dash 11 85, was approved by committee vote, 9 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 not voting.
The grant will increase the contract between the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, acting by and through the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), and Safe Haven Family Shelter to extend shelter capacity by paying for hotel nights and per-diem services, Metro staff said. Director Calvin of the Office of Homeless Services said the program is billed on a per-diem, per-person basis so the city does not pay for unused beds.
The committee heard public comment in support of the funding. Steve Ryder, who testified during public comment, said, “I fully support the allocation of $4,400,000 to Safe Haven,” and praised the provider’s prior use of TANF-funded rapid rehousing to place families quickly.
Councilmember Benton, who requested the item be pulled from consent for questions, called the program “right on target for a continuum of care” for families with children and pressed staff for cost details and performance numbers. Director Calvin told the committee that in the prior year the program served 66 individuals (56 households) and that 82% of those served moved into permanent housing. She did not have an exact cost-per-night in the meeting packet but said the program negotiates hotel rates and is billed by per diem.
Drew Freeman, CEO of Safe Haven Family Shelter, said the organization aims to shorten the time to permanent housing but that the current average time to find a permanent placement has grown. “Our preference is anywhere from 30 days to 60. We're sitting around 90 to a hundred before we can find permanent housing solution for it,” Freeman said.
Councilmember Huffman said the committee’s public commenter had “highlighted the expedited way that we've got a lot of families housed,” and voiced support for the appropriation. Councilmember Bradford asked whether the program accommodates families with pets; staff said they do work to place service animals and, where possible, pets in hotels.
The committee recommended approval of RS 20 25 dash 11 85, sending the resolution forward for full Metro Council consideration.
Notes: The committee discussion described program metrics and practices as presented by OHS and Safe Haven staff. Cost-per-night and some operational details were described as negotiated with hotel owners and billed via per diem; precise nightly rates were not provided in the meeting record.
