The fourth annual ‘Day on the Hill’ was held on February 24 at the Cordell Hull Building in downtown Nashville as people from across the state came together and told stories of how the issues of affordable housing and homelessness in Tennessee had affected them—calling for policies to address affordable housing and homelessness. Advocates, renters and homeless Tennesseans, gathered with community leaders for a day of storytelling concerning life experiences without physical homes in Tennessee—presented as they urged state lawmakers to address the issues of affordable housing and homelessness.

Presenters got the opportunity to share their stories of dealing with homelessness, living in unsafe housing conditions, and the fear of losing a home with state lawmakers. 

‘Day on the Hill,’ sponsored by ‘Housing for All Tennessee,’ started the event with a news conference at Cordell Hull Building where people and activists spoke about the housing crisis in Tennessee and its consequences. Immediate action was demanded from state lawmakers to address the housing crisis that included protection for tenants’ rights and affordable housing options. Tracy Beard, Coalition Coordinator for Housing for All, said the Day on the Hill event gave people a chance to meet with lawmakers and get their message out about the housing crisis in Tennessee.

“When legislators cancel on tenants and unhoused friends who have done everything in their power to be here, it sends a message that their time, their caregiving responsibilities, their wages, their safety doesn’t matter,” said Beard. “It tells people that their stories are optional. We are here to say ‘our people are not optional.’ Housing is not a side issue. Housing is a kitchen table issue.”

Beard also said state lawmakers need to craft policies to expand funding for housing Tennessee’s low-income residents along with creating a variety of affordable options and end policies that criminalize homelessness. She also said that state officials need to improve and strengthen community and support services. 

The coalition demanded that state lawmakers reverse unreasonable requirements for tenants who appeal their evictions. There were people at the press conference who shared their personal stories about the housing crisis in Tennessee.

Jasmine Bryant, a Knoxville resident, talked about her goal of wanting to be a home owner; however, she was unable to buy a home due to the rising costs of homeownership in Tennessee. She said she came to the Tennessee State Capitol to demand that state lawmakers take action to address the affordable housing crisis.

 “I, too, wish to be a homeowner. But now that’s a dream that’s far away,” said Bryant. “You have corporations coming into Knoxville that don’t even live here, never been to our neighborhoods, and don’t even know what we stand for. They come into our neighborhood and buy up the whole lot, which raises everybody’s rent, which forces your landlord to have to kick you out or raise your rent. It should not be a luxury to have a place to stay!”

Chastity Harris, a Memphis resident, spoke at the news conference about her story and said that owning a home in Tennessee was difficult and said state lawmakers were passing laws that people were not aware of. “I’m against a law that, in order to appeal an eviction, you have to save rent money for an entire year,” she said. Harris also said she came to the Housing for All event to push for reasonable and safe housing—and to let state lawmakers know that they were paying attention to what legislation was being presented.

 “We are here to share our stories. We’re here to share our testimonies. But most importantly, we are here to let our legislators know what we need and what we deserve, and what is our right. And that right is a home,” said Harris.

Paige Osborn, a Columbia resident, said her rent had increased 30% over the last three years. She said she wanted to attend the Day on the Hill event to let he voice be heard, hear other people speak to state lawmakers and call on them to help her and other people who were going through a similar situation. Osborn also said she decided to attend the Day on the Hill event because there were issues of high rent, unsafe living conditions, and the harassment of tenants. She wanted lawmakers to know that they want to be heard on these issues and rising rent costs should be addressed. 

Valeyah Tidwell, a Nashville resident, said she decided to attend the Day on the Hill event because she wanted to advocate for the homeless people in Nashville and across Tennessee. She said that state lawmakers were not doing enough to address  homelessness and affordable housing issues in Tennessee. She pointed out that homes being built in Tennessee were not the type that homeless people can afford. She said she hoped state lawmakers listened to the concerns of protesters and activists and would help them find solutions for addressing the homeless crisis and affordable housing crisis in Tennessee.