The Metro Homeless Impact Division, a division of Metro Social Services, is excited to lead a collaborative effort that creates housing options for those living unhoused in Nashville.
Participating landlords and property owners are encouraged to lower or relax their housing qualifications that often prevent those experiencing homelessness from finding stable housing. Those barriers include but are not limited to criminal history, previous evictions and low-income status.
The new initiative, called the Low Barrier Housing Collective, offers a monetary incentive for Nashville landlords and property owners so more doors can be opened to those unsheltered. Additionally, this program offers financial insurance for participants.
Incentives Package:
- $2,000 (per unit) for first five units leased as a sign on bonus
- $1,000 above the deposit
- $2,000 in lost rent if the lease is terminated
A soft launch of the program has proved successful already. In recent months, the number of participating landlords and property owners has jumped from 70 to a little more than 100. In that same time frame, the owners of 2,045 units have agreed to relax their qualification criteria.
“This is groundbreaking, and we are most excited about the Low Barrier Housing Collective. Housing availability is a significant obstacle to those wanting and needing a roof over their heads,” said Lizzie Goddard, creator and coordinator of the LBHC program and housing coordinator for the Metro Homeless Impact Division. “Despite their best efforts, those seeking housing are hindered by certain barriers. This new incentive program is opening doors that were previously closed to them.”
This program is a collaborative endeavor that includes a host of community partners and non-profits. The LBHC is coupled with the MHID’s existing wraparound services – mental health support, substance use support and more – that prepare clients for stable housing.
“We’ve come together as a community, in compassion and collaboration, to help nearly 2,000 neighbors so far – with more to come,” Mayor Cooper said. “Nashville is committed to leading with kindness and evidence-based solutions. I want to thank the community leaders and partners who are working alongside us to respond to this urgent issue, which cities across the U.S. are working to address.”
This new program is a tremendous addition to the city’s already robust housing effort underway. Under Mayor Cooper’s leadership, Nashville has used a “housing-first” strategy to help nearly 2,000 people in the last year. The city’s strategy so far has included a $10 million, federally funded Rapid Rehousing surge; the launch of a private-public Landlord Guarantee Fund to encourage private participation in Nashville’s housing efforts and a mobile housing navigation model to assist people in outdoor communities. Meanwhile, construction is set to begin this summer on a 90-unit, permanent supportive housing development in downtown Nashville.
About 90 percent of the people Nashville serves – including families and veterans experiencing homelessness- can live independently after a year.
“Finding housing for our unsheltered neighbors is an essential key to helping folks move from unsheltered living to stable, safe and permanent environments. Adding new available properties to the housing inventory will help catapult our efforts to reducing homelessness in our great city,” said Jay Servais, interim director of the Metro Homeless Impact Division.
Those interested in joining the program can register at the Low Barrier Housing Collective.