Nashville council spends $2M more of federal money on homelessness

Nashville will spend another $2 million in federal relief funds to temporarily address health and housing concerns for residents.

Last night, the Metro Council voted to put the money toward vaccination and assessment centers and personal protective equipment. And a second resolution will help cover an emergency shelter, outreach, sanitation and housing assistance for people experiencing homelessness.

“It has funding for a flex team to focus on emergency sheltering,” Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda says. “There’s a transportation grant where there will be pick-up locations in north, south, east and west of the county.”

Nashville’s council will get a monthly report on how its allotment from the American Rescue Plan is being spent. If any money goes unused, the council will get another swing at redirecting it to other needs.

The council postponed legislation that would spend money on renovations at Brookmeade Park. Some councilmembers have raised concerns about some money going to install cameras and not more investment in getting Nashville residents experiencing homelessness in housing.

All of this comes after the Homeless Impact Division leader left the city agency and calls followed to create a housing department.