Nashville Mayoral Candidate: We Have Affordable Housing, Just Not Where Everyone Wants To Live

In a third televised debate, candidates for mayor of Nashville were asked Thursday night about education, transit and affordable housing. The candidates rehashed many of the stock answers they’ve built up throughout more than 40 different forums. But Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry said something fresh on affordable housing.

He said he lives in Bordeaux, which is close to town and still affordable.

“Unfortunately, and again it’s just a reality, a lot of people don’t really want to live in Bordeaux, a lot of people don’t want to live in Antioch,
“ 
he said. 
“
And people feel like there’s something wrong with those areas. And the reality is, there’s nothing wrong with those areas.”

Gentry said he would be a “cheerleader” for parts of town that might have a bad rap.

Real estate investor Bill Freeman talked about his pledge to incentivize the building of 10,000 affordable units over four years. At-large councilwoman Megan Barry voiced her support for
requiring home builders to set aside some units to sell or rent below market rates.

Charter school founder Jeremy Kane mentioned subsidies to help teachers live near their schools and police officers live in Davidson County.

All ‘Yes’ On NashvilleNext

The primetime forum hosted by
The Tennessean and Belmont University also the candidates running for mayor on the record in favor of
a thousand-page planning document known as NashvilleNext, though some offered their support reluctantly.

The Metro Planning Commission could vote Monday to adopt the strategic plan, which outlines the city’s transit and housing future. Candidates were asked to give a one-word answer on how they would vote. First up was real estate investor Bill Freeman.

“Oh goodness,” Freeman paused. “I would say yes.”

Down the line, every other candidate said “yes” until reaching former school board chairman David Fox.

“Ugh, agh,” Fox said, causing the crowd to laugh. “Yes, I guess.”

Asked afterward, Fox said he was hesitant to endorse a plan he hasn’t read from cover to cover.

“I printed out a hard copy, and I’ve only read seven pages,” Fox said. “I wouldn’t mind having the election happen first before NashvilleNext gets voted on.”