The Office of Mayor Freddie O’Connell is committed to working collaboratively with government agencies and community-based organizations to advocate and coordinate services for Veterans in Nashville. At last count, 432 Veterans work for Metro Government and 32,958 Veterans live in Davidson County, the second largest amount in Tennessee. Join us in empowering Veterans and their families and learn more about some of what we are doing to serve our Veterans.
Office of Veterans Services
The Office of Veterans Services provides greater access to city, state, and federal Veteran-related benefits and entitlements. The Office of Veterans Services is located inside Operation Stand Down TN in order to better serve the Veterans of our city. The office assists all Veterans, surviving spouses, or eligible dependents who live, work, or attend school in Davidson County. In addition to Metro’s Office of Veterans Services, the Mayor's Office works with state officials and local companies to promote veteran employment.
Housing Incentive for VASH Voucher Program
In February 2017, then-Mayor Megan Barry announced Nashville’s first incentive program to encourage owners and landlords to rent their units to homeless Veterans. In order to qualify for this program, Veterans must be eligible for rental assistance under MDHA’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Voucher Program. VASH participants receive subsidized rent and moving assistance through this voucher program. Participating landlords are eligible for a lease signing bonus and reimbursement for unpaid rent or repairs after a VASH participant moves from a unit.
Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans
Disabled Veterans and surviving spouses are eligible for property tax reimbursement by the State of Tennessee to homeowners that meet certain eligibility requirements, for a part or all of paid property taxes. For veteran applicants there is no income limit. Tax relief is paid on the first $100,000 of market value of the home. Note that tax relief is not an exemption; Veterans will still receive their tax bill(s) and are responsible for paying property taxes each year. Learn more through the Trustee's Office.
Veterans Day Designated as Official Metropolitan Government Holiday
On January 17, 2024, Mayor Freddie O'Connell issued Executive Order 019 to continue the designation of Veterans Day as an Official Metropolitan Government holiday so that employees can celebrate and honor our Veterans. The executive order states that all employees not in the classified service shall be excused on Veterans Day without charge to leave, except those employees necessary to maintain essential operations of the government and employees of Nashville Electric Service, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metropolitan Sports Authority, Metropolitan Hospital Authority, non-professional employees of the Board of Health, and elected officials. I hereby request that Nashville Electric Service, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metropolitan Sports Authority, the Metropolitan Hospital Authority, the Board of Health, and elected officials also designate Veterans Day as an official holiday for their respective employees.
Nashville Serving Veterans Community Board
In June 2016, the Mayor's Office and TN Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder announced the formation of the Nashville Serving Veterans Community Board. This board was formed to engage the community on ways to support our Veterans and is comprised of community leaders with vested interests in Veterans affairs. By combining community resources, the board aims to improve the connections between service providers and organizations; leverage their collective networks and knowledge to resolve community-specific issues; locally eliminate barriers to service delivery; and improve support to Veterans.
Barnes Housing Trust Fund
A function of the Mayor's Office of Housing, the Barnes Housing Trust Fund makes competitive grants to nonprofit developers to increase affordable housing options for Nashvillians. Grants include funding for renovation or construction of affordable homeownership and rental opportunities and other supportive efforts to encourage affordability. To encourage the development of housing for Veterans, The Barnes Fund awards additional points to proposals that commit to prioritizing the Veterans in our city.
Davidson County Veterans Treatment Court
The Davidson County Veterans Court, presided over by Judge Melissa Blackburn, works to assist Veterans who face legal trouble through mental health evaluations, alcohol and substance abuse assistance, and supervision by client specialists assigned to work on their particular needs.
Local Veteran Resources
Nashville is home to many Veteran service organizations working tirelessly to ensure Nashville Veterans have access to the services they have earned. To find out more about the resources and services available, please visit the Nashville Serving Veterans Community Board website and the Office of Veterans Services website.