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Committee backs study of emerging public-housing solutions; housing staff outlines unit mix
Summary
The committee recommended a resolution asking planning and housing agencies to study and implement innovative public-housing approaches. Housing Division staff said most subsidized projects are rental or ownership multi-unit developments and estimated single-family units comprise roughly 10% or less of subsidized activity.
The Planning and Zoning Committee recommended approval of a resolution asking the Metropolitan Planning Department and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency to study and implement emerging public-housing solutions to expand permanently attainable housing in Nashville and Davidson County.
Council Member Duffle, the primary sponsor, explained the substitute recognizes existing work by the planning and housing divisions and supports funding for studies to evaluate tools and gaps. "This is in recognition of that current work and support of the funding for some studies that we need to do in the future," Duffle said.
Hannah Davis of the Housing Division told the committee the division tracks applications by rental, homeownership and rehabilitation categories rather than by project type; from her familiarity with projects she estimated "about 10% or less" of the subsidized activity has been single-family development. Davis encouraged use of the department's online dashboard, which she said is updated quarterly and links to investment tracking for affordable housing projects.
Funding questions: Council Member Benedict asked whether section two of the resolution — which calls for a funding request to be included in the upcoming fiscal year — meant the council should amend its own budget or ask the mayor's office to submit the request. Davis said staff anticipates submitting budget requests and the ongoing study will help identify gaps and funding needs; the committee heard that additional requests would be made where the study identifies investment priorities.
Outcome: The committee recommended approval of the substitute resolution by voice vote (seven in favor on the substitute; subsequent recorded committee recommendation announced as nine in favor, zero against). Next steps include additional staff study and potential budget requests as gaps are identified by that work.
