You can make a difference for Affordable Housing in this year's Metro Budget!
The Mayor has presented his budget for Metro to the Metro Council. The Council will make changes that they think are important. A budget must be adopted by June 30. If we want real change in affordable housing, the Council must hear from us NOW and throughout June – while they will be negotiating with one another!
You can email all the Metro Council Members at once at councilmembers@nashville.gov (Please copy ahtf@noahtn.org so we can track how many emails are going to them!)
You may copy the sample email below or write your own. Please send as soon as possible.
SUBJECT: NOAH urges "Make Affordable Housing a Budget Priority!"
Dear Council Members,
The affordable housing situation in Nashville is getting worse and worse – with skyrocketing costs, the 2020 tornado, the COVID crisis, and evictions pending. Even during the pandemic, housing costs went up – while wages went down!
We appreciate Mayor Cooper including $12.5 million in the Metro Budget for the Barnes Fund. This is a slight increase from previous years, but still not enough to make a dent in the need. The Mayor’s own Affordable Housing Task Force called for $30 million per year for 3 years for the Barnes Fund, so we can be working on a different scale.
If we are to have a successful long-term plan for affordable housing, we also need a separate Department of Affordable Housing that continues beyond any one mayor. Our budget shows what we truly care about! The Mayor’s budget does include 2 new housing staff positions at Metro Planning, but also 42 new positions for a Department of Transportation! Why this big difference, if affordable housing is truly important?
We need:
$30 million in the Barnes Fund, each year for 3 years.
A separate Department of Affordable Housing led by a senior-level executive with substantial housing expertise.
Affordable housing needs to be a major priority in the Metro budget! Please join NOAH in creating a Nashville where we can ALL live!
Sincerely,
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FIND YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER TO EMAIL PERSONALLY!
https://www.nashville.gov/Metro-Council/Metro-Council-Members.aspx
In addition to sending emails that go to ALL Council Members, sending personal emails or making a call to YOUR OWN Council Member can make a BIG difference!