Nashville took a major step toward solving its long-standing housing challenges last week with the release of the city’s first-ever Unified Housing Strategy (UHS)—a comprehensive 10-year plan aimed at creating a coordinated, citywide response to rising housing costs, displacement, and lack of affordable housing options.
Unveiled by Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the Metro Planning Department’s Housing Division on May 1, the strategy outlines a framework for collaboration across government, business, and community sectors to ensure that every Nashvillian has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.
“With the release of the Unified Housing Strategy, Nashville now has an implementation plan where our collective work can result in a future where all Nashvillians have access to a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home,” said Mayor O’Connell. “It will take all of us—residents, employers, developers, financial institutions, faith communities, and community leaders—to build a future where housing security is a shared reality for all.”
The launch of the UHS comes as housing pressures in the city continue to mount. In just the last four years, Nashville’s median property values have jumped by 45%, pricing many residents out of the housing market. Rapid job and population growth—outpacing even the ambitious forecasts of the city’s NashvilleNext plan—have added to the strain on the housing system.
The UHS provides seven core strategies to guide policy and investment, addressing housing needs across income levels and neighborhoods. Among its goals:
- Stabilize affordability and strengthen the local housing ecosystem
- Create and preserve affordable housing, including pathways to
homeownership
- Protect residents from displacement and support housing security
The plan is supported by a detailed Ten-Year Implementation Plan, which outlines specific actions, identifies lead partners, and establishes timelines and funding needs. It is designed to be a living document that can guide both public and private efforts in addressing Nashville’s housing crisis.
“This is the first time Metro has looked at the housing crisis from all angles—what needs to be built, preserved, and protected—and how we can partner across sectors to make it happen,” said Angie Hubbard, Director of Metro’s Housing Division. “No single policy or organization can solve this alone. This strategy calls for shared responsibility and long-term commitment.”
The UHS was shaped by extensive community input gathered in 2024 through surveys, listening sessions, and interviews with residents from across Davidson County. That public feedback, combined with in-depth data and market analysis, helped ensure the strategy reflects real challenges—and aspirations—shared by people in all parts of the city.
The city hosted an initial public presentation of the plan at the Planning Commission on May 8. Additional opportunities for residents to engage with the UHS and share feedback will take place throughout May.
Upcoming Public Engagement Opportunities:
- Virtual Public Presentation
Thursday, May 15 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. - Virtual Public Presentation
Wednesday, May 21 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. - Housing Trust Fund Commission Presentation
Tuesday, May 27 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Howard Office Building, Sonny West Conference Center
All materials, including the full Unified Housing Strategy, Executive Summary, and Ten-Year Implementation Plan, are available online at Nashville.gov/UHS. Residents are encouraged to review the plan and share feedback through an online form by May 30.
