In September 2023, we debuted “Home Is Where You Can Afford It: Nashville’s Affordable Housing Crisis.” It was a thought-provoking housing series that explored the history and ongoing challenges of the housing crisis. We explained buzzwords and jargon, shared expert and community member solutions, and uplifted personal stories of housing insecurity. The community began to understand that the housing crisis is a layered, interconnected, and complex problem, but not impossible to solve.
Our team has continued to relentlessly advocate for affordable housing in major, meaningful, and accessible ways. From researching social housing to developing budget and policy demands for a new housing model, to traveling to Vienna, Austria, and learning about their municipal-financed social housing. That was all backed by our community engagement and base-building efforts that center social housing and public land.
- In 2024, we created and spearheaded the SHIFT Nashville Coalition to push for housing through the city’s new transit plan, Choose How You Move. The transportation improvement program presented an opportunity to pave the road to affordable housing, and 66% of voters approved it.
- During Metro Nashville’s 2025 budget season, SUN and our coalition partners championed the allocation of $50 million in municipal bonds to seed the Housing Production Fund. While our exact ask wasn’t approved, the Nashville People’s Budget won a study to explore fulfilling the ask in the future.
- The 2026 budget season is underway, and we’re eagerly building on last year’s momentum.
Get ready because we’re launching the 2026 installment of “Home Is Where You Can Afford It: Nashville’s Housing Crisis.”
For decades, we’ve seen city officials cut deals that overwhelmingly benefit the millionaire and billionaire owners of stadiums and corporations. Those deals always leave taxpayers footing the bill for generations.
We demand that the Metro Nashville government invest in affordable housing now. And we won’t accept the lame excuse that Metro can’t and won’t be the primary agent to address housing. It has to be. From the mayor to Metro Council, we know it can be done. The reality is that we can’t afford not to make it happen.
Each week, we’ll share detailed yet conversational information backed by credible research, clear analysis, and our demonstrated expertise in listening to you, the People. By the end, you’ll clearly understand the connection between our vision and a social housing solution that addresses the root of the city’s housing issues. As you read the series, intentionally reflect on what you learn, ask questions, and respond with feedback. Then engage your friends, neighbors, and networks.
