Purpose and Summary
The Housing Division of the Metro Nashville Planning Department is in the process of developing an application for the funding opportunity recently announced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) called the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program. Through competitive grants, the PRO Housing program will provide $85 million in funding for communities across the country to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation.
The purpose of this grant aligns closely with the Housing Division’s efforts to eliminate barriers to housing security, particularly for low-to moderate income families. Metro’s application will request the maximum amount allowed of $10 million. As dictated by the grant requirements, eligible activities must identify and seek to remove one or more barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. Additionally, each proposed activity must:
- Further develop, evaluate and implement housing policy plans.
- Improve housing strategies, or
- Facilitate affordable housing production and preservation.
Taking into consideration the input received during the Consolidated Plan process, community and stakeholder meetings, and a thorough needs analysis, we will be requesting funding for the following activities listed below.
- Develop zoning and land use implementation tools and policies that encourage Missing Middle Housing;
- Provide technical assistance and capacity building to mission driven affordable housing developers and contractors to expand the creation/preservation of affordable housing;
- Develop a guide to facilitate affordable housing on land owned by faith-based institutions;
- Finance the development or preservation of affordable housing focused on permanent supportive housing and households earning 0 to 30% of the Area Median Income; and
- Grant Administration
Draft Application
Draft Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing Grant Application
Public Comment Period
Full text of the draft application will be made available online for public comment on the Planning Department website beginning October 2, 2023. For comments to be considered as staff finalizes the application, comments must be submitted before 11:00 p.m. on October 17, 2023. Comments may be submitted electronically at [email protected] (Subject line “HUD PRO Housing Comments”), mailed to Metro Nashville Planning Department, Attention: HUD PRO Housing, Metro Housing Division, 800 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville, TN 37210, or hand-delivered during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to Metro Nashville Housing Division, Attention: HUD PRO Housing, 800 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville, TN 37210.
Public Hearings
Metro Nashville’s Housing Division will host two public hearings, a virtual and in-person option, to allow members of the public to learn more about the proposed activities for funding and provide feedback. Please see below for details on the public hearings.
- Public Hearing for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing Grant (Virtual), October 11, 2023 at 11:30 a.m.
- Public Hearing for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing Grant (In Person), October 11, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to the public hearings listed above, the Housing Division will submit the application for Metro Council approval at its meeting on October 17, 2023. Members of the public may submit comments on the proposed legislation in accordance with Metro Council Public Comment Procedures: Metro Council Public Comment Period.
Request for accommodations
The Planning Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. For ADA inquiries, contact Randi Semrick, ADA Compliance Coordinator, at 615-862-7230 or e-mail her at [email protected]. For Title VI inquiries, contact Human Relations at 615-880-3370.