Background
The Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) / Community Infrastructure Program is a new tool that supports the development of affordable housing and neighborhood assets in Nashville by sharing the cost of enhanced infrastructure improvements. Metro desires that all neighbors, regardless of income, live in neighborhoods with safe infrastructure that supports strong and healthy communities.
Developers will still be required to pay for standard infrastructure improvements. However, if the opportunity exists to significantly enhance the infrastructure for the benefit of the surrounding community, Metro will pay for or share the cost of the enhanced infrastructure. An initial amount of $2 million, allocated in the 2020 Capital Spending Plan (CSP), will be available to developers on a first come, first served basis. An additional $2 million has been approved in the 2021 CSP and will be made available based on learnings from the first round.
In partnership with the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT), Metro’s Housing Division will process applications and increase infrastructure funding in and around affordable housing development.
Eligibility
Eligible applications have 100% of units restricted to households with incomes at 80% or below Area Median Income (AMI) with compliance and oversight provided through a federal, state, or local funding source.
Eligible proposals will request no more than 10% of the total project development cost with a cap of $500,000 per project. Applicants may apply for only one enhancement per funding round.
The developer must agree to deed infrastructure to Metro upon completion and final inspection. Work must be completed in the public right of way and will be maintained by NDOT.
Qualifying enhancements
The enhancements below are sourced from Vision Zero, Mayor Cooper’s Sustainability Advisory Report, the 2020 Metro Transportation Plan, nMotion, WalknBike and NashvilleNext. While this list is not exhaustive, it provides important guidance for initial participation agreements.
- Improved/ upgraded bus stops
- Upgraded mobility infrastructure (priority given to Highly Vulnerable or High Injury areas as defined in Vision Zero Action Plan and Vision Zero Implementation Plan)
- Pedestrian enhancements including crosswalk enhancements
- Exterior lighting upgrades
- Sidewalk and bikeway connectivity
- Traffic calming measures
Process
- Applicant meets with Nashville Department of Transportation to review designs as part of an initial or permit review. Enhanced infrastructure opportunities will be identified by NDOT team.
- Applicant will submit application via email to Hannah Davis at [email protected]. Application must include a letter from the appropriate Metro department (NDOT) confirming that the requested funding pays for an infrastructure enhancement beyond what is required for the building permit.
- Developer must show an attempt to collect 3 bids for the infrastructure or price analysis if using current general contractor from project.
- The Housing Division will provide final approval or disapproval after review. The Housing Division staff will work with developer to draft the infrastructure agreement and finalize details. The developer will design improvements based on NDOT standards.
- The participation agreement is then submitted for Council vote.
- Once approved, work may begin by the developer’s construction team, based on specifications provided by the appropriate department (NDOT). Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis (from the Housing Division) once the work has been inspected by NDOT and approved.
- Property on which infrastructure is located is transferred to Metro and accepted by NDOT for future maintenance and ownership.