OHS Monitoring Federal Funding Challenge
In January, Nashville was awarded more than $11.8 million from the U.S. The Department of Housing And Urban Development to fund the FY 2024 Continuum of Care Program. As incoming President Donald Trump announced a funding freeze in his first days in office, organizations reliant on funding to serve vulnerable populations scrambled to understand how to proceed. While a temporary restraining order halted the funding freeze, the risk for similar actions or a continuation of Trump’s initial freeze are high. Across Tennessee, organizations that work in homelessness were awarded more than $40 million to help folks in various ways on a path toward housing. The Metro Office of Homeless Services says they’re working with community partners to ensure collaboration on using the funds. “The Office of Homeless Services is actively monitoring the impact of the recent federal funding challenges and is working closely with Metro Legal, HUD Technical Advisors, and national consultants to navigate the rapidly evolving situation,” said Demetrius Chaney, public information officer for OHS. “ While initial freezes on funding created uncertainty, the funds are now accessible again. It is imperative that agencies receiving HUD awards move swiftly to secure contracts, agreements, and drawdowns to ensure program continuity.” OHS says a planned Homelessness Planning Council Retreat, next week’s Homelessness Planning Council Meeting, and a newly scheduled focus group for CoC-funded agencies will “provide structured opportunities to discuss solutions, share guidance, and develop strategies for sustainability.” On Feb. 5, Texas State Rep. Scott Turner was confirmed by the United States Senate to be the 19th Secretary of HUD. In a HUD release, former NFL player Turner said he would “restore HUD to its core mission” and called to “increase self-sufficiency and empower Americans to climb the economic ladder toward a brighter future.” OHS says asTurner takes office, they’ll continue to monitor policy shifts “and advocate and advocate for the needs of Nashville’s homelessness response system.
Community Foundation Opens Up Nashville School Violence Support and Healing Fund
In response to the tragic school shooting at Antioch High School, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee opened up the Nashville School Violence Support and Healing Fund, according to a Metro release. The fund addresses school mass violence incidents on school grounds or during school events in Davidson County. It supports students, faculty, and their families impacted directly by these tragedies, including those killed, physically injured, or emotionally traumatized. Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a release, “Nashville is a community of extraordinary generosity. As we have so many times in the past, we have seen and felt a tremendous outpouring of support from Nashville residents who want to do something to show love to everyone impacted by the shooting at Antioch High School.” Contributions can be made online and will be distributed to individuals directly impacted and allocated to organizations providing critical services, such as mental health support.
Metro Cold Weather Shelter Opens 23 of 31 Days in January
From Nov. 1 through March, Metro operates overflow shelters to help support the city’s shelter needs during cold weather. The operation complements partnerships with the Nashville Rescue Mission, Room In The Inn, Launch Pad, and Oasis. Overflow shelters open at or below 32°F for three consecutive hours, and are based on capacity and funding. People are encouraged to use long-term shelters like the Mission before seeking the emergency overflow shelter, and decisions about opening are typically made by noon the day before the shelters open. The Metro Emergency Overflow Shelter has operated for a total of 34 days this season, according to a Metro release. In January, the shelter was open 23 of 31 days, and 10 of those days included extended hours. The average number of people served per night was 250 people, with the lowest number at 87 on Nov. 29, the first night the shelter opened. The highest was 396 individuals on Jan. 21, 2025, when temperatures hit the single digits.
Metro Conducts Annual PIT Count
More than 120 volunteers helped coordinate and deploy the annual Point-in-Time Count and Housing Inventory Count for Nashville/Davidson County overnight from Jan. 23 into the morning of Jan. 24. The night serves as an annual census of people experiencing homelessness required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all communities receiving federal funding to address homelessness. It provides critical data for service planning, resource allocation, and federal reporting. Volunteers worked from the Nashville Rescue Mission’s Men’s Campus, which served as a Staging Area and Command Center. Participants included the Office of Homeless Services, Mayor Freddie O’Connell, Metro Nashville Police Department, Metro Public Health Department, Metro Council, Homelessness Planning Council, General Session Court and numerous nonprofit organizations and community volunteers. “The point-in-time count is a data exercise, but it has a lofty purpose, helping us dedicate our resources and tailor our work toward the most vulnerable in our community. Taking part in the count is voluntary, and each year the snapshot in time of the experience of homelessness in our community looks a little different,” Mayor O’Connell said in a release. “This year, due to the cold temperatures, we were able to reach hundreds of people seeking refuge in our emergency shelters. I appreciate the work of the many volunteers who conduct the count and know that the work they do helps enable federal funding for projects like Strobel House, our first permanent supportive housing, where people who once were counted in the PIT are now stably housed.”